//create a new loader
      this.loader = new Loader();
      //tell the loader where to find the picture
      this.loader.load("http://somewebsite.com/image.png");
      //when the loader finishes loading, call the function 'onLoadComplete'
      this.loader.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, onLoadComplete);

      //===================================================
      public function onLoadComplete(event:Event):void { //adds the image to a movieclip container
      //===================================================
       //create movie clip container
       var thumbnail:MovieClip = new MovieClip();
       //add image to container
       thumbnail.addChild(this.loader);
      }