June
2009 - Voices of Fire
 My
name is Corinne Pendéliou and I teach
in the Part-time/Respite 2 early learning and
care program at Mothercraft Ottawa on Evered
Avenue. Art is an important component of our
curriculum. Our children have enjoyed art through
the use of many mediums and have recently painted
on 8”x10” canvasses. The end product
is truly amazing for such young children and
left us in awe of their talent and creativity.
We are the “VOICES OF FIRE”. We
are 21 children (girls and boys) ages 18 to
30 months. “VOICES OF FIRE” comes
from the use of vibrant colours in the paintings
and the belief that each of us, no matter how
old or how young, has a voice that deserves
to be heard. With this project we have expressed
our voices through creativity and the love of
painting.
May 2009
DARE - KANDID Photography
by Nicole Raftis
Photography became very
important to Nicole when travelling through
the U.S.A, India, Nepal, Australia and S.E Asia
1995-2001 as photos offer a tangible canvas
for moments we do not want to forget. Upon her
return to Canada, Nicole began taking photography
courses and pursuing opportunities to learn
more about this artistic medium.
Kandid Photography was born in 2003, initially
photographing children and families at parks
and beaches around Ottawa. With the support
of friends and family, and encouragement from
John Rapp in 2005 to display her work at the
Dovercourt Art Gallery, Kandid photography blossomed
into a substantial business for Nicole.
Photography projects with local schools, after-school
programs and summer camps have been highlights
of Kandid Photography’s expansion. 2006-2009
also brought opportunities to experience wedding,
maternity and commercial photography. The DARE
project, displayed here today, is Nicole’s
most recent work with local youth. It was inspired
by “We Are All Born Free” –
a drama production by Heather Berry-Smith and
the Gr. 5/6 students at McGregor Eaason School,
as well as by an inspiring message delivered
at the funeral of Jane McEwan Pearson. All of
the artists involved in the DARE project wished
to inspire viewers to think about opportunities
for peace, love and inspiration in their daily
lives.
For more than 8 years Nicole has been capturing
real moments in time for children and their
families in their natural settings. From stills
to action, colour to black and white, Nicole
captures the emotion and personality present
in daily life. Working outdoors and in, Nicole
specializes in natural pictures that capture
the beauty of the everyday.
April 2009:
Rola Bleik
 My
journey in art has taken me from the country
of birth, Lebanon, to my adopted country, Canada.
My art is an expression of myself as a Lebanese-Canadian,
and is executed in a range of media, including
drawing, water colour, and acrylic painting.
It is evident that my early
experiences living in a port city on the Mediterranean
Coast influenced my art. Like the city that
marks the crossroads between the East and West,
the sophisticated and cosmopolitan in my work
blend with the provincial and parochial.
I represent the contradictions
in both traditional and abstract styles, relying
on the expressive use of colour and bold brush
strokes. The end result captures what I feel
is the best of both worlds – an Eastern
aesthetic imbued with a Western spirit.
I try to show the beauty of
flowers in a sort of languorous way, showing
off all the beautiful secret parts that are
hidden inside. It a collection of very heavily
contrasted paintings that have very hot and
cool colors. The shapes of the flowers are very
fleshy and vibrant lots of energy and lots of
depth. They are very sensuous and appealing.
Colorful and dark at the same time creates a
contrast that shows the flowers in an unusual
way.
Rola Bleik
613-744-6981
www.rolableik.webs.com
March 2009 :
Cody Albert
Cody Albert is a local artist
who has lived in Westboro all of his life.
"I have resently started
to paint only last summer. Besides painting
and drawing I like to do outdoor activities.
Normally my inspiration comes to me though music.
I normally like to listen to classic rock, a
few of my favourites are The Doors and Led Zepplin.
Im currently attending Nepean High School. I
hope to attend future art classes, at the Ottawa
School of Art."
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Julie
Hadley is a self taught artist with a passion
for nature. Landscapes, birds, lakes and rivers
of Ontario provide her with her inspiration.
As a youth she spent time studying nature through
photography and sketching. She now works from
her studio at home in Ottawa where she owns
and operates Painted Expressions, a small mural
and specialty painting business.
The
Triton is a fun, exciting and highly maneuverable
three-wheeled bicycle for children and adults.
With multiple length settings that can be changed
in seconds, the Cruiser fits children from age
five to adults up to 5’8”. The slightly
larger Pro is a faster, more powerful ride for
bigger kids and fits adults up to 6’3”.
The trike provides endless fun, great fitness
and represents exceptional value as it grows
with the child and can be used by almost everyone
in the family. It’s a great addition to
any family’s cycling options and offers
a uniquely fun way for kids to stay active in
their own street, at the park or out on the
bicycle paths.
John
Rapp, Executive Director of Dovercourt Recreation
Centre says, 
