My appreciation and fascination for the arts goes back to my childhood.
Born in Montreal of Austrian parents, I was surrounded by a world of music, painting, creative design and photography. As a child, I had the fortune of growing up near a mountain wildlife sanctuary, and experiencing nature, its ever-changing moods and vibrant colours of the four seasons. This strong admiration for nature compels me to photograph dynamic panoramic landscapes.
As a graduate of the certificate photography program from both the Vancouver School Board for Continuing & International Education and Focal Point, an internationally acclaimed visual arts institution in Vancouver, I have developed my photographic talent and defined my unique style. Photography has become a passion in my life. It is an extension of “who I am”.
Through my extensive university studies in Canada, U.S.A. and Europe, I am blending music and language arts with visual arts in my “Children’s Piano-Arts Corner” studio. This unique combination provides for an enriching all-rounded curriculum. My multi-faceted skills and experience as a published author, artistic performer and educator enable me to express “Imagery In Music” and create dynamic audio-visual presentations.
Imaginative design, an eye for nature’s beauty and a flair for originality characterize my emotional imagery. My Tofino & Okanagan vistas, “Scenes from the Enchanted Forest” including nature’s circle of life and “Reflections In Glass” depicting the magic of architecture have received professional recognition and acclamation of excellence.
Ad Lib Gallery opened in 2008 as the realization of Claudia and her mother’s dream of a mother-daughter exhibition showing a compilation of Claudia’s photographic art work and her mother Ella Wald Kargl’s oil paintings.
Claudia has transformed her garden into an extension of her gallery, in memory of her late father. She has put her heart and soul into making a garden oasis that includes a fountain and an art exhibition plateau. The garden was recognized as the most beautiful home-based business in the annual Communities in Bloom’s Most Beautiful contest.
Read more about the transformation from the Westside Weekly!
A Touch of Austria
Nestled in Smith Creek in West Kelowna, with a panoramic Okanagan lake-mountain view and a Communities in Bloom award winning garden oasis, is “A Touch of Austria” of Claudia Kargl and Jim Gray. The Ad Lib Art Gallery/Studio creative arts setting with two professional pianos along with oil paintings and photographic artwork is a wonderful place for a 5 stars quality opportunity of great music, food, coffee, people and enlightening entertainment. Guests are treated with red carpet warm “gemuetlichkeit” hospitality to special theme Sunday afternoon music-arts culture showcases events that Ignite the Senses in fine European style. Outstanding musical performances with world class performers are featured on the big screen with supportive commentary and historical documentation. To top off an extraordinary all-round experience, organic homemade culinary delights, Viennese pastries of authentic recipes handed down from generations and a variety choice of delicious traditional Viennese coffees with fresh whipped cream await you! RSVP is required.
2018 Spring/Summer Calendar of Events
A Touch of Austria – Unique Curated ARTS Showcases
Click the image for the full calendar of events, to register and sign up for payment reservations.
Ignite your senses in style, with empowering music, enlightening performers, in an elegant fine atmosphere, with excellent food!
A diverse variety of curated showcase awaits you, there’s something for everyone!
Tristch Tratsch
Engage in some Austrian Chit Chat!
Click the image for the history of the Gallery
Tristsch Tratsch, meaning chit chat and Viennese gossip, and named after the famous polka musical composition written by the Johann Strauss Jr. is all about refined enjoyment taking place Sunday afternoons from 2-4pm.
Emotional Imagery
The Audio Visual Experience – Creative Storytelling
The blending of two magical languages together, MUSIC & PHOTOGRAPHY, has a double expressive power to communicate meaning beyond words. This creative connection appeals to the senses, stimulates feelings, emotions and reaction in an audience. I enjoy conveying strong messages through “listening pictures” to reflect the mood of the music and create a special effect or an impression. A flair for originality, creative design and bold artistic expression define my storytelling on a diverse variety of subject matter. I combine my photographic artwork and my live studio piano performances to express creative visualization that applies creative energy and imagination to the music making process. Photography has enabled me to see and feel music in an empowering, deeper and richer way. See what I see, hear what I hear, feel what I feel.