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24 Artscene Oakville Beaver · FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2006 Artist finds inspiration in the streets of Oakville By Billy Canning SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER His "traveling studio" as he calls it consists of a folding chair, a bottle of ink, drawing quills, headset and a cooling refreshment. These are his working materials, and his office is the streets of urban cities. And with them, he captures city life in a way some describe as whimsical. John Coburn, who was raised in Hamilton, Ont. and started painting at age 11, is recognized in the art world for painting and drawing urban landscapes that capture moments with "clarity and simplicity" is in Oakville sketching areas that will be displayed at the Beckett Fine Art Gallery on Lakeshore Road. Coburn chose the streets of Oakville as an ideal office space because he enjoys the community atmosphere, the calmness of the people and the architecture. "I like authentic architecture, its hard to walk down this street (Lakeshore) and not appreciate the architecture," said Coburn. His first project is the Knox Presbyterian Church on Dunn Street and Lakeshore Road. He said he was "The energy that this place has is not found in larger cities. It has a friendly atmosphere that is really unique and the rich texture of an amazing cross section of people. This is a small town, yet people are very cosmopolitan. " Artist John Coburn attracted to the church because of its clean shapes and its intricate details. The church was built in 1888 by a carpenter named James McDonald Jr. said Rudy Platiel, a member of the congregation Other locations where Coburn will be spotted with his "traveling studio" are the Granary, Oakville Harbour, Appleby College and Erchless Museum. He's encouraging anyone who sees him painting in the streets to have a chat and discuss Oakville's history or suggestions of areas to sketch. Most of Coburn's works are portraits of larger cities such as Paris, New York and Tokyo, but he feels Oakville offers a charm that bigger cities don't. "The energy that this place has is not found in larger cities. It has a friendly atmosphere that is really unique and the rich texture of an amazing cross section of people. This is a small town, yet people are very cosmopolitan," said Coburn. "I'm going to enjoy capturing the charm, feel and creating pieces inspired by Oakville." His finished pieces are considered contemporary with elements of abstract, and local co-owner Alison Beckett of Beckett Fine Art has nothing but praise for Coburn's work. "He adds a whimsical sense of freedom to his drawings... he paints from his heart, and he's a modern day expressionist," said Beckett. Beckett Fine Art has represented Coburn's work for the past 15 years in its Toronto gallery. On May 27 he opens his first show, titled New York and Paris in Oakville, at Beckett Fine Art's new Oakville Gallery, 41 Lakeshore Rd. W. from 2-8 p.m. The exhibit runs until June 19. RON KUZYK / OAKVILLE BEAVER SKETCHES OF OAKVILLE: John Coburn, who is famous for his sketches and paintings of cities such as New York, Paris and Tokyo, recently turned his artist's eye on Oakville for an exhibit opening on May 27 at Beckett Fine Art. Oakville School of Dance has two spring shows The Oakville Ballet Company and the Oakville School of Dance are presenting spring shows at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, 130 Navy St., on May 26 and 27. Spring Showcase 2006 runs Friday, May 26 at 7:30 p.m., and will highlight dancers from the Oakville Ballet Company and professional division students from the Oakville School of Dance. Etienne Lavigne, a soloist with the National Ballet of Canada, will perform with the dancers. The show will feature Act II of Swan Lake, among other pieces. Spring Evening of Dance 2006 on May 27 features students from pre primary to advanced II from the Oakville School of Dance in a performance of Act II of Sleeping Beauty and other works. There will be two shows at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For tickets, $22.50, call the box office at 905-815-2021. KEVIN HILL / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER PREPARING FOR THE BIG NIGHT: Etienne Lavigne, a soloist from the National Ballet of Canada, instructs Oakville Ballet Company members during a rehearsal for their upcoming spring show at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts.