26 - Friday, September 26, 1986 - North Shore News

IF CATS could read, it’s doubtful this one would be sitting so relaxed on a B.C. Hydro instaflation at Deep

Cove,

Pets the focus of artist's work

JOHN CURRAN’S subjects range from cats to
horses, but the North Shore artist says his most
common portraits are of dogs.

“Ie seems to be a dog thing,’’ Curran says of his
pen and ink portraits. ‘‘People seem to have this bond
with dogs — it’s just like family.”

Curran, who works from photographs of his sub-
ject, estimates it takes him 10 to [2 hours to complete
one portrait. It is his attention to detail that takes the
time.

“I use the photos fairly faithfully,”’ says Curran, a
North Shore resident for 20 years. ‘‘I go to great
lengths to magnify the detail to ensure the portrait is a
good likeness.’”

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-Guinea Pigs half price with purchase of a cage

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922-3822

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ow
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* Budgies $19.99 ($10.00 off with purchase of a cage)

He adds: ‘There really is a craft involved here.’”

Curran has no formal art training, instead perfec-
ting his individual technique over 10 years.

After a preliminary portrait is pencilled in just
right, the artist starts work with his pen. After the pen
comes the color.

Although his portraits are typically about !4 inches
by 17 inches, Curran will not do @ portrait that is
larger than life. ‘it’s a bit eerie,’ he explains.

For the standard portrait of a dog, Curran charges
$175. The price-tag for a cat is $125. Horses top his
list at $350.

Patrons of the Capilano Pet Hospital may have seen
one of his pieces hanging there.

Select from a wide variety of
breeds in both puppies and
kittens and start a new
friendship today.

549%

Aquarium Sale
(Aquarium sets in many sizes}

10% OFF on Hagen Marina Aquariums
15% OFF on Aquarium Canopies
Aquarium Light Bulbs on Special 2 for $1.99

reg. $1.69 each

Many other Specials on Tropical
Fish and Plants

Habitat

Lynn Valley
Centre
986- 4812

PETS

N. Shore animal lover
urges spay / neutering

EARLY one morning last week
North Vancouver's Doris Orr
found six puppies in a box on her
doorstep.

“Here was this great box with
the puppies,’’ Orr remembers.

And she says a situation such as
this need not happen.

“When are people going to be
intelligent enough to get their pets
spayed or neutered before they go
around making pups?”’ she asks.

“v's a worldwide problem and
unfortunately it’s a North Shore
problem.””

Orr believes that it is often ig-

Best Friend
Images

Personal Pel Portraits
in colour and exquisite
detail by John Curran

985-6940

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'Bosley's”

norance that fands pet owners with
unwanted puppies or kittens.
“People think that there will be
maybe two or three cute pups, but
with big dogs there are nine or
11,°° she explains. ‘‘And there's
just no place for them."* .

In order to prevent unwanted
pets, Orr's organization —
DONATE — will pay for half of
the spay or neutering operation.

“It's serious that people are sit-
ting around (while their pets are)
manufacturing these dogs and
cats,”’ says Orr.

“The thing is not to make any
more of these lives,’’ she says.

bit and chunk

Sale till Oct. 3

133 £. 14th, NM.
984-7133