° art FETE UE EIN, SRE EEN NOLEN CTE BAT Santiago MICHAEL TICKNER signs his paintings with a teddy bear. Picking up a silk-screen print, the Lions Bay artist embosses the bottom right-hand corner with an imprint of a bear. “Some artists choose to em- phasize life as a struggle,’’ he says, perched on the edge of a couch. “4 choose to emphasize that life is fun. That’s the whole object of my work.’* EVELYN JACOB feature writer Tickner’s art doesn’t start argu- ments, No one who has seen his work can disagree with what they see: bright; happy pictures where everything is clear and upfront. Nothing is concealea. Art critics looking for subtle meanings and intellectual fodder won't find conflicts, enigmas or hidden messages in Tickner’s work, What they will find are broad, happy visions and idealized scenes of West Coast landscapes. To be sure, bright blues and lipstick reds-transform grey, desolate shipyards and deserted 987-3388 H CANYON HOUSE f 988-5169 FEED THE FOODBANK NOV. 24- DEC. 24 f Free admission to Capiitzno Suspension Bridge with non- perishable food donation tc Food Bank for the light of heart alleyways into carefree settings. The drabness of life never enters Tickner’s work. Even people are exempt from his paintings because the artist believes they make scenes more serious. For Tickner, this new style of art, referred to as Contemporary Primitivism, is the result of per- sonal growth that has taken place in his life and the discovery that life is fun. “4 used to paint abstract, but it tands to connect with the head. My new style is more heart-felt, it’s meant to connect with the whim- sical, the lightheartedness of things.”’ Tickner, 41, is a big, friendly man with curly blonde hair. He doesn’t talk about the changes in his life, but maintains that percep- tion can change people's attitudes and the way they see the world. “There's a lot of fun out there. It’s all in your perception,”’ he says, thinking about his recent success — Tickner has sold about 50 paintings ata Vancouver show- ing since July and has secured a number of commissions — and the difficulty he has had accepting it. it has taken years, but he now has an easier time accepting the idea that people like his work, and that he is making a gocd living selling it. Tickner started painting when he was eight. He left an executive Position in an international com- pany in England in 1973 to paint full-time, and moved south to the coast where he learned to develop a modern impressionist style. Soon after, he met his Cana- dian-born wife Alice and the cou- ple moved to Vancouver. He began painting outdoors in Stanley Park, gradually opening showings in galleries and private homes in West Vancouver. Today Tickner’s paintings are selling faster than he had ever an- ticipated, with the artist barely able to produce enough pieces for scheduled shows. His paintings hang in homes in Switzerland, Germany, Israel and Japan, and most recently Tickner has signed a deal with the Van- couver company Commonwealth Insurance to reproduce four of his paintings. Painting for a living can be hec- tic and commissions are some- times difficult, but it doesn’t mean sacrificing creativity: ‘I paint for myself all the time,” he says. it isn’t hard to see why Tickner enjoys painting. His enthusiasm, which borders on hyperactivity is felt through the bright, bold colors that leave not a corner of canvas untouched. 29 - Wednesday, November 23, 1988 - North Shore News photo Terry Peters LIONS BAY artist Michael Tickner holds up a silk-screen print entitled, Granville Island. Recently on display at a Vancouver gall , the bold bright colors of Tickner’s paintings transform everyday scenes into happy, energetic images. “My att is difficult for a lot of art people to handle to some ex- tent, because they feel! it’s not arty, not clever enough.” And though some would say Tickner’s art lacks social con- science, that it ignores the cruelties of real life, he says his decision to depict one side of life doesn’t mean he ignores the reverse side. FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CALENDAR -Capilano Suspension Bridge 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, B.C. », WIONDAY { UESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY Us 1 See THE CHRISTMAS CAROL CRUISE SHIPS Sunee HOUSE SPECIAL 2 for 7 Lunch valid only Dec. 10 with presentation of “My social statement is that there’s a lot more fun available to everybody. It’s merely if one chooses to see it.” At one time Tickner used to paint teddy bears. Now, they only appear in his work as in- \ conspicuous seals. “‘l guess my work is getting a little more serious,’”’ he says laughing. 985- 7474 Book your Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners at the Bridge House Restauran PRE-CHRISTMAS SALE AT CANYON HOUSE GALLERIA to December. 24 — up to 50% off Chri mas items, dinnerware, gifts, atc. “40 45 ARGYLE SECONDARY CONCERT CHOIR 7 p.m. at Capilano Suspension Bridge Santa Claus DECEMBER FONDUE SPECIAL AT BRIDGE HOUSE RESTAURANT $9.95 (not valid Dec. 28 or Dec. 31) xf il l2 3 Last night of UP TO 50% OFF AT CANYON HOUSE GALLERIA FESTIVAL PRE-CHRISTMAS SALE OF LIGHTS 9am-8:30pm this calendar | 18 CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL — ENTERTAINMENT — SANTA CLAUS — FACE PAINTING — BRIDGE HOUSE SPECIAL SATURDAY LUNCH AND SUNDAY BRUNCH — Bach Choir singing Sunday at 6 pm DECEMBER 9-18 13 DELBROOK BAPTIST CHURCH CHOIR 7 pm at Capliano Suspension Bri e inta Claus — Bridge House bebe pos Special $9.95 & stano Suspension eee open late for HRISTHIAS FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS DEC. 13.23 9am-8:30pm FABULOUS CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AT THE The i AR ALO EER ARSE, OTE 4 LAST MINUTE SHOPPING AT CANYON HOUSE GALLERIA AND TRADING POST UNTIL 5 31 NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY AT BRIDGE HOUSE - RESTAURANT Reserve now BIRTHDAY YEAR IO < GE TRC A we”, or oe Galatnle tints hee MERRY . 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