en Fe Skier-turned- painter enjoys tife as an artist By Layne Christensen Community Reporter SPAR Street still likes to strap on the boards but these days the skier- turned-painter is seeing more moguls off the slopes than on. The moguls he’s encounter- ing are the CEOs and celebri- ties who purchase his large, vibrant canvases, which fetch upwards of $30,006 apiece. A five-time freestyle skiing champ in the °80s, Street has both skied and painted since the age of two. . Goldie Hawn, Richard * Gere, Mel Gibson all own Spar S beck 18 - Sunday, November 24, 1996 - North Shore News eyo Street originals, as Vancouver power players like | Doug Mason of Clearly Canadian and John Marr of Vantage Securities, Street delights in the feed- back he receives from his many collectors. A common theme is “people say they feel better when they have my art on their walls.” For Strect, who takes any- where from seven months to four years ta complete one of his oversize canvases, the joy is in the painting. He'll work on 10 or more canvases at a time in the base- ment of his Decp Cove home, typically finishing one to four a month. He ses a blend of oil, acrylics and dyes to convey his images, colorful abstracts or representations of skiers, race " cars and female nudes. Always present is a sense of movement and, says Street, at the same time a sense of still- on Spar “Somchow in movement, the mind becomes still and the heart opens. Paradoxically, the silence becomes inspiring and empowering.” Expressions of an Open Heart is what the 33-year-old artist is calling his latest exhibi- tion, which opened Thursday at the Robson Square Conference Centre. The show continues to Dec. 2. At the show, Street will introduce a series of limited edition prints, which until now were available only in the United States. Fans of Strcet’s work can snap them up for $595 and $1,450, a fraction of the price of an original. LIONS GATE CABLE INSPECTION NOVEMBER 25 TO JANUARY 1397 SPAR Street’s vibrant oversize canvases fetch tens of thousands of dol- lars in the U.S. and Europe where they are collected by celebrities and CEQs alike. The for- mer ski champ shows his paintings at Robson Square Conference Centre through Dec. 2. Venture Pacific KOUP OF COMPANIES VEHICLE LEASING * NEW & USED © CARS & TRUCKS “Twenty that * can change your life....” editation® °& Over the past 38 years, millions around the world have g Channel 30 North SHore Watch the TV Special and then attend a free introductory seminar: ‘Tuesday December 3,7 pm West Vancouver Library, Peters Room 1950 Marine Dr. West Vancouver orevery Wednesday at 8 pm \_at Maharishi Vedic College 6070 East Blvd., Van, 263-2655 | IDEO TRANSFERRING HOME MOVIE SUPER 8 & 8 MM, SLIDES & | UJ __ PHOTOSTOVHS. “| Hi BETA, H! & 8 MM CASS, PAL, SECAM, NTSC | tee lene. GOWN, pls ures . VIDEO TO VIDEO! OFFER EXPIRES DEC. 15/96 1431 Marine Dr. 2405 Marine Dr. N. Van. W. Van. 988-3394 925-9994 - Pa HES ao The Ministry of Transportation and Highways advises the travelling public that cable inspections will begin on the Lions Gate Bridge, Monday, November 25, 1896, for approximately one month, as part of the Ministry's ongoing maintenance program to ensure the continued safety of the travelling public. To minimize impact to motorists, where required, single lane closures will be. conducted at night. During the length of this project, cyclists and pedestrians will have access to the bridge, but are advised of potential sidewalk detours and closures. The Ministry of Transportation and Highways thanks you for your cooperation and patience.