'Canadian Impressions' now showing at the Collingwood Library features the work of renowned Czechoslovakian artist, Mikulá Kravjanský.

The 85-year-old painter says his creative talent stems from 'feeling', and what he feels is what he portrays in his work.

In his current show, it could not be more evident the beautiful Canadian scenery was a strong visual inspiration for him.

"I get a connection from nature and feeling it, that is important. I want to put that feeling in the picture," said Kravjanský. "I understand the world and the way in which I am able to commune with it. My images are meant to create an effect of something that is important to me, in which implication can be found."

Canadian Impressions is a collection of 30 paintings depicting scenes from across the country including the canvasses 'Between rocks and cloud', 'Aries, the God of the Mountains', and 'Canadian Goose over the Lake Placid'.

In the variety of visual images created from his explorations of nature, history or of current happenings, Kravjanský says a suggestion is revealed. If one allows themself to withdraw and listen quietly his art will hopefully help will help them to hear the world, to discover their own meaning or simply entertain them with dancing lines and playful colours.

Since leaving Czechoslovakia where he studied art and stenography at the Academy of Muses Art and was a chairman of the Art Department of the State Television designing scenography and costumes for operas, ballets and theatrical productions, Kravjanský has continued to enjoy a 'colourful' career in the arts. While residing in Canada, the artist and his wife created 'Black Box Theatre' in 1969, which performed in many Canadian cities and created the television series 'Fantastica' for Columbia Pictures and shows for other networks.

During his 20-plus years in the USA (Florida/California) he established an art publishing company called 'MK Publishing' which produced limited editions of his graphic art. Most recently, the artist returned to Canada where he has family, but he has continued to paint in mixed media throughout his working career and since retirement.

Kravjanský now enjoys painting landscapes and has been exhibited in many galleries in Canada and the USA. Flowers and portraits are also predominant in his work and he is greatly inspired by the optimism he sees in life.

"I used to be a pessimist but now because of my nature I am very optimistic and I love to paint this way," he said. "I was born in a country which is very similar to the west coast of Canada so it is easy for me to relate to that."

At his opening on Saturday, Kravjanský received some special guests including Milan Kollár, the Slovak ambassador to Canada. He also had available publications of his printed works, 'Canadian Impressions' with a collection of his last few years in Canada, and 'The Book of Poetry, Paintings and Engravings', which can be purchased on-line through www.Blurb.com