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Artist celebrates the miracle of life By HOWARD MOZEL Oakville Beaver Staff Viewing the works of Irene Mottadelli, it‘s obvious she considâ€" ers life a celebration. When you speak to the artist herself, it becomes a miracle. The vehicles through which she conveys this wonder are flowers, inhabitants of nearly every corner of the world that have for centuries provided the inspiration for both art and faith. The latter is particularly important to Mottadelli given the ability of flowers to survive in even the most inhospitable places. "Maybe flowers remind us that life is a miracle," she says. The visual component. of Mottadelli‘s philosophies can be seen at McLarenâ€"Barnes Gallery until Feb. 27. Though her paintings‘ colors strike the viewer first, each possess abundant movement as though stems, flower petals and leaves were a form of organic calâ€" ligraphy. Close to the artist‘s heart are sunâ€" flowers and featured in the show are several interpretations inspired by the landscape around Thornbury, Ontario where she lives. Like many artists before her â€" Van Gogh in parâ€" ticular â€" the lure of a blossom resembling a revered spiritual symâ€" bol is irresistible. "You always have to consider Vincent when you do sunflowers or else you‘re a damned fool," she says. To the casual eye Mottadelli‘s flowers are vibrant still lifes but to the artist they represent avenues of expression for the many issues which concern her. "Memories of Fiji," for example, is beautiful but beneath the veneer of a tropical bird nestled in exotic hues is a dread of the future. "We have to do something about nature," warns Mottadelli. "The aniâ€" mals are screaming ... and we are screaming too." To Mottadelli, her paintings symâ€" bolize a state of mind, a place or a HOURS: TUES., WED. FRI. 10 A.M.â€"5:30 P.M., THURS. 10 A.M.â€"8 P.M., SAT. 9 A.M.4 P.M. * MINWAX PRODUCTS « FINISHINGâ€" SUPPLIES e HOMESTEAD PAINTS e * TABLES CHAIRS * JELLY CUPBOARDS * MIRRORS PANTRIES * CHINA CABINETS * ROCKING CHAIRS "E Wood Room â€" UNFINISHED FURNITURE/WOODEN TOYS Specializing in Solid Oak, Pine, Maple, Birch 484 PLAINS RD. E. MAPLEKURST PLAZA BURLINGTON 681â€"6075 (next to Bingo Connection) 1/2 PRICE FIRST VISIT time. With mankind ravaging the earth at an unprecedented rate, each of these three sanctuaries can become the stuff of nightmares. "The sense of the beauty of God‘s world is gone and that is a terrible thing. People die when that happens." All is not lost. Mottadelli‘s "The World of the Goldfinch," painted in Thornbury last summer, offers optiâ€" mism. Despite endless rain and grey skies at the time, she says every wildflower imaginable was in bloom. These, coupled with the tituâ€" lar bird, are worth far more than their weight in hope. "Birds are a symbol of escape and of freedom," she says, adding that the painting was recently purâ€" chased for a nursing home. As if the underscore her love for the natural world of which so many people remain ignorant, Mottadelli has included "Thornbury Field." In this work, flowers and what some might characterize as "insignifiâ€" cant" field creatures affirm that life â€" however commonplace â€" exists all around us. McLarenâ€"Barnes Gallery is located at 133 Reynolds St. Call 849â€"7702. Hours are Tuesday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 Dragon‘s Mountain The Children‘s Centre‘s Winter Series continues this Sunday with Young People‘s Theatre‘s "In Search of Dragon‘s Mountain." This show is geared to those in Grades 2 to 6. Showtime is 2 p.m. Call the Oakville Centre box office at 842â€"2555 or drop by 130 Navy St. Box office hours are Monday to Friday from noon to 5 On Feb. 28 it‘s Kim and Jerry Brodey in Concert. The 2 p.m. show is ideal for those from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6. The Winter Series concludes March 7 with "Clowning Around" with . Lampoon Puppettheatre. Children from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 with enjoy this 2 p.m. show. * DESKS HUTCHES * DRESSERS ARMOIRES * TYNCR UNITS * BAR STOOLS * ROCKING HORSES [Â¥ D. B ETTE Advertisement Advertisement Budsons Bay Company Mayor Ann Mulvale and O . T.M.H. Development coâ€" / ordinator, Carole Thompson lend a hand to Buonasera Ristorante _ owner Anthony Marciano. The restaurant â€"recently celebrated the Grand Opening of their new \ bar and lounge area. The restaurant celebrated the occasion with a charitable donation made on their behalf to O.T.M.H. RESTAURANT EXPANDS!