Returning artist reveals first book

Miriam Ostermann

Times Associate Editor

 

Twenty-five years ago, mother-of-three Marjorie Hembroff was walking down 16th Avenue in Calgary, when she stumbled across a sign offering art classes. That day, when she started out with oil paints, signified the beginning of her artistic career. Having evolved into acrylics, pencil, and pen and ink methods, the self-taught artist credits an inner force for her ongoing devotion. That same force has led to the completion of a 4-year-long project – Hembroff’s first book that she is introducing at the Strathmore Municipal Library on Feb. 20.
“There’s an inner motivation that propels me to paint or sketch,” Hembroff said. “I was in the art group and there was another gal who kept encouraging me and she took it and she read it and she was very helpful. I was propelled to keep going. It’s that inner drive again that’s there that says I have to write.”
Hembroff previously exhibited her art at Strathmore Municipal Library at the end of 2014. For the month of February 40 of the artist’s pieces, with subjects ranging from landscapes to animals, will be on display for viewing. However, with a book signing and a reading from the author, the exhibit also offers something distinctive.
“Marjorie Hembroff is a returning artist to the library, but what’s unique about the art exhibit this month, although a portion of the art exhibit is her general work, in the back of the library are the sketches of the illustrations from her book,” said Carmen Erison, assistant director to library services in Strathmore.
“It gives you a chance to come to the library and get a preview of her book prior to coming to her author visit.”
The local artist grew up in Manitoba before moving to Calgary over 30 years ago. According to Hembroff, her rural upbringing has played a significant factor on the development of her imagination and appreciation for nature. While she often incorporates her own pets in her art, a source of her inspiration, art has also become therapeutic. Having called Strathmore home for the past two years, Hembroff is planning on continuing to promote her independently published juvenile novel locally and is already busy on some upcoming works.
“I was bitten by the bug before I started writing this book,” Hembroff said. “I had no thoughts of writing a book. Then the idea came from me, and I took an online course to help me get started. Oh the well has not run dry.”
Bess’s Magical Garden, a novel that is geared towards children aged eight to 12 years old, is available on Amazon as a paperback, hardcopy and E-book version. The item can also be purchased locally at the Red Carrot. Marjorie Hembroff’s artwork will be on display until the end of February and she will be reading a section from her book at the author’s talk and signing on Feb. 20 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.