Painter proves

LOCAL PAINTER Tim Francis is the first one to

admit that having talent is only half the battle.

Luckily, he has been able to
pursue his painting with a
single-mindedness that is rare.

His fife is a study on how
a person can fix a clear and
unwavering focus on his
natural ability, and move
steadily towards it. He
spends far less time talking
about painting than doing it.

Francis is really just a
‘local boy making good’.
After graduating from
Argyle in 1967, he spent a
few years discovering he was
not going to become wealthy
drumming in a rock band.

In 1972, he enrolled in the
Capilano College fine arts
program, and was placed on
the Dean’s List. Awarded
college and = goveriment
scholarships, he turned
seriously to acrylic painting,

and has continued
since.

Many peaple were amazed
that Francis could so quickly
turn his hand to painting,
and produce such striking
portraits of everyday Cana-
dian life. But his talent runs
in the family.

While Tim was still grow-
ing up on the North Shore,
his mother Dorothy was on
her way to becoming inter-
nationally known for her
paintings of the Inuit. Her
work now hangs in the
Smithsonian Institute in
Washington, D.C. Tim's
brother, Mark, who paints
out of Campbell River,
recently sold a painting for
over $7,000.

ever

Francis joined the North
Shore News in 1977 and was
secon promoted to producton
manager. In 1982 he became
advertising director.

Even while he held down a
full-time job, Francis com-
pleted several dozen paint-
ings in the evenings at home,
most of which were commis-
sioned,

{n October, 1984, Francis
moved to his new home at
East Barriere Lake, which is
ranch-and-lake country east
of Kamloops, where, as
Francis says, ‘‘They don’t
have any traffic lights yet.”

But the Jeisurely pace has
not altered Francis’ work
schedule. He has completed
18 pieces in his latest series.

Francis’ latest collection is
taken from photographs he

took while in London, Paris
and San Francisco. Each of
the pictures has writing in it,
which Francis explains:
“After spending years at a
newspaper, | have to put the
printed word into cach
painting."’

Asked what
Francis answered, ‘“‘Since
moving away from Vian-
couver, the city has become
a single image to me, a
whole feeling that I've left
behind. Now that | don't
live there, I think I have a
clearer, sharper vision of the
images that mean Van-
couver. That's got to be my
next show.”’

Tim Francis has already
gained national recognition
for his work. The Pallette
Gallery in Oshawa has

will follow,

59 ~ Fri

agreed to represent him, and

his work now

Molson family’s Continental
Gallery in Montreal.

Francis will
in a group

Grace Gallery,

Street, on Gr
The show run

day, November 29, 1985 - North Shore News

it takes more than talent

to Dec. 26, from 11 a.m. to
6 p.m., Monday to Satur-
Viewings by appoint-
ment can be arranged by
calling 669-9606.
prices range from $1400.
There will also be an exhib-

hangs in the
day.

be partaking
exhibition at
1406 Bridge
anville Island.
s from Dec. 3

ition of his

Grace Gallery in January.

Arrives
Nov. 30th

AT 10:00 AM
FASHION SHOW

FRI. 7:30 PM
SAT. 1:30 PM r

Centre Mall!

photo submitted
ARTIST Tim Francis, a former North Shore resident,
displays some of his paintings that will be shown Dec. 4
through 26 at Grace Gallery on Granville Island.

Gould & Mel ue Sewellers

The A tage eweller” Great Christmas times, and the
shopping is casy. 180 fascinating
shops to help you wrap up
inercdible Christmas value and
selection,

A reminder to North Vancouver
shoppers...Park Royal is accessible
via Welch Avenuc, south of Marine
Drive in North Vancouver.

OPEN SUNDAYS. OPEN
LATE WEEKNIGHTS.

ordially mettes you to our
Christmas Jewellery event be he
held the ath, Sth and ath of
December, 108s,
¢ Ae (

variety and selection of jewelry, Char manufac-

12 Noon- 5 P.M.
9:30 A.M.-9 P.M.
9:30 A.M. - 5:30 P.M.

Sundays:
Mon. - Fri
Saturdays:

, . 1
“alfeetion all give you an requsuaily large

turer's representatives will be any preases and
this selection will have the special price of

ff for this ener only.
25% O

We will de
Gould & NMeCue Mewellers

be hae ME Me Vat coe
aks ago

,
remount qautes on the spot)

oe Ze~S PARK ROYAL

The Centre of Attention for 35 Years,
1950-1985