365 Days with Kiddos - #16 - Get Your Child a Library Card and Watch Their Imaginations Grow

Ok, ok, for those of you who know me, you are probably saying, ok already, Tiffany LOVES the library. Yes, yes, it is true. I can't imagine a week going by without going to the library. It is a regular activity for us. We have TONS of books in our home but we still go to the library each week to check out books. Why? Because it is fun to get out in our community, to meet friends there, and to get to pick whatever strikes our fancy and bring it home. Where else can you do that? Where else do you have access to so many wonderful opportunities to explore materials that aid in better imagination? My oldest daughter watches about 2 hours of television a week but she "reads" several books a day on her own and 3-4 with my husband and I at bedtime. She actually turns the TV off to read a book. This may just be her personality, but I believe it is because she has always been surrounded by books, has been taken to the library, and she sees me reading all the time. If your child has not been read to or has not shown an interest in books it is never too late to start. Children just love to spend time with their parents so if you suggest sitting down and reading a book, they are almost sure to respond favorably. And the more you do it, they may start to request it. Reading is something that takes a little bit of time but is time well spent. Even if you are not much of a reader, your child will not care or judge you. They will appreciate your attention. A good way to get a child to participate in reading time is to allow them to pick the books you will read. This is where the library comes in. You don't need to purchase tons of books, you can borrow them from the library. Our library is free but we also have a card for the library in the next town, which costs $12 a year. It is money well invested. Most libraries have day and evening hours so if you have not been to your local library why not make a plan to visit soon?

Article in the Rocky Mountain Outlook

Thanks to Michelle Macullo, who wrote a really good article about my current show at the Banff Public Library. She really "got" me. It is always a bit strange when someone interviews you for an article, because you say what you have to say, and then don't read the article until it is in print, which at that point it is final, and if anything you said was misunderstood, there is no way to clarify. Michelle did awesome. If you would like to read the article you can go to the site or read on...

Vintage Polaroid Creates Innovative Art
Published: October 16, 2008 7:00 AM
Updated: October 16, 2008 7:34 AM

By Michelle Macullo BANFF

Making one's passion a career is a dream for most. But for Bow Valley photographer Tiffany Teske, it's a reality.

Over the years, she's made the time and effort to keep her skills sharp. More importantly, she indulges in the craft, simply for the sake of art.

During the month of October, Teske steps away from the business aspect of her career and enchants audiences with Seeing Double: Reflections on Human/Nature in Banff, a playful look at the artist's view of Banff.

The exhibit features 23 unnamed colour, double-exposure images taken with the soon-to-be-extinct Polaroid Spectra film. The juxtaposition between the human and natural elements results in an entertaining and unique peek into why Banff enchants Teske. The project took her nearly one year to complete, while she explored the relationship of humans and nature during all four seasons.

While drawn to Banff's beauty Teske, unlike many local artists, isn't driven to capture the mountain landscape on paper.

"I think there's an expectation that if you're a photographer in Banff, people assume you do landscape photography," she said. "I prefer to examine little nooks and crannies - the interplay of people."

Teske took a minimalist approach to Seeing Double, relying on "lots of junk that's useful for art," including use of a $5 Polaroid camera purchased at a thrift store, recycled mats, frames and expired film. Not only was she able to reduce her footprint, she was surprised by her efforts.

"I was thrilled when I discovered the camera worked," she grins. "I never knew what I was going to get. And because of the size (of the photos), people have to get up close to really see what the images are about."

Teske's career as a photographer was accidental. While she enjoyed the craft and tinkered from the age of seven, she didn't take formal classes until her post-secondary years of education at the University of Maine in Augusta. She intended to study nursing, but "the pieces (acquiring the necessary pre-requisites) just never fell into place." And before she knew it, she was studying photography full-time.

Since then, she's achieved renown for her work with the analog photographic process, particularly using the Polaroid films. She regularly exhibits her work in solo and group exhibitions in both Canada and the U.S.

The show's one-of-a-kind images are available framed or unframed. More information on Teske's services and products is available at www.oldesage.com

Seeing Double: Reflections on Human/Nature in Banff runs until the end of the month at the Banff Public Library Art Gallery.

Little Artists

Tonight we went to the Banff Public Library to attend the opening for the annual Kid's Art Show. Our little one, Quin, had one of her fingerpaintings in the show. She is only two after all. It was fun to see the broad scope of work from kids from 2 to 16 years old. There were delicious snacks including rice krispy bars, banana chocolate chip bread, watermelon, and juice. QQ was pretty excited and danced around to the wicked cool world music CD they were playing. I think she did understand her artwork was on the wall...

International Women's Day

On Friday I was lucky enough to be part of a local art show for International Women's Day! Here is the PR for the show...

"In honor of International Women's Day, the Banff YMCA and the Banff Public Library are pleased to present a Women's Art Show from March 1st - March 31st. The show features artwork by several local women working in a variety of mediums. Everyone is invited to attend the Opening Reception on Friday, March 7th from 7-9 PM at the Banff Public Library."

The library is located at 101 Bear Street. I was able to see the work when it was first hung last week because my daughter has story time at the library on Tuesdays. It all looks great! There are about 10 pieces from photography to mosaic to painting to mixed media assemblage. I submitted one fibre based black and white photograph that I hand printed in the darkroom (awhile back, I am bummed to say I do not currently have a darkroom) entitled "Heidi, Artist & Muse".



The opening was wonderful!! My friend, Mariana, came with Quin and I. It was race night for Andre at the hill but I was thrilled when he showed up at about 8:45 PM. There was delicious food and wine, including amazing cupcakes from a new local bakery called Cozy Cave. I am so bummed I didn't photograph the cupcakes!! Quin was thrilled that she was allowed to help me eat one. She held it in her two little hands like it was TREASURE :) Cozy Cave has the MOST BEAUTIFUL window displays ever. I will do a feature one day... There was even entertainment; two local women sang and Kim Mayberry, Quin and my belly dance teacher, and a librarian, AND the organizer of this event, DANCED! It was amazing! She is so great at it. She dances at The Balkan, a local Greek restaurant on Tuesday nights, in addition to teaching at the Banff Centre on Thursdays.



AND AND AND the BEST part of the evening (aside from Andre showing up as a surprise!), the icing on the cupcake, or the cherry on the cake, or the pièce de résistance was that MY PIECE SOLD!! Now, I know I am a professional artist but there is nothing like selling your work. I will never tire of it. And it is always amazing to sell it at the opening. It makes the event more memorable and I LOVE that I can meet the buyer. And in this case, I had already wanted to meet the buyer, who is a local photographer, who was also in the show. It is the highest compliment to have a fellow artist, in the same medium, buy your work! So thanks, Kirstie Tweed :) Kirstie is the owner of Orange Girl Photography in Banff. She is Orange Girl, a color we all know I am also a huge fan of! She has a lovely canvas print of a couple, the woman is pregnant, reclining on the bed with their golden retriever. I am happy to meet such a talented local photographer, as well as other artists in the community.

It was a lovely, lovely evening in celebration of women!