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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday May 4, 2007 - 33 Stamp of approval from Ducks Unlimited Continued from page 32 As for why he decided to pursue art as a profession, Lawes said it was something he had to do. "For artists, it's innate. We can't help but do it. It's almost like a calling." And he's fared well in answering his calling. Lawes is an internationally collected artist, and has been showcased in exhibitions in New York and Chicago. He attended the Ontario College of Art for a short time, but considers himself largely self-taught. "For the most part I learned on my own and from experiences with artists like Robert Bateman that I looked up to, and still do," he said. Lawes actually camped out with the renowned artist about 20 years ago. Bateman used to take groups out into the bush to do research and sketching. "As you can imagine, you have someone you admire and you're stuck in with him ­ it was a great experience," Lawes said, smiling. "In the evening he'd be showing us how to do grass techniques and other painting techniques, which I still use today." Bateman and Lawes are once again united as Ducks Unlimited Canada artists. For his part, Lawes' painting Northern Lights will become a National Waterfowl stamp 2007 for Ducks Unlimited, and two of his other bird paintings ­ Drummer Boy and Red Heads ­ were also selected as print images. "It's all for a good cause, and as a result from that experience I develop a great relationship with them," Lawes said. The local resident also runs a printing company ­ specializing in Giclee canvas prints ­ and is taking care of the printing for Ducks Unlimited. "It's beautiful because you can have prints without glass in front of them, and they're close to the original," Lawes explained, while prints ran off from an enormous printer in his basement. He bought his own printers to recreate his own work, and to help out other artists after he found out how expensive it was to reproduce his work. "At that point, I said I've got to help other artists to not be gouged by these prices," Lawes said. For more on Bruce Lawes' printing business, K.B. Wales Inc. Fine Art Publishing, call 905-847-9332. LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER ARTIST AT WORK: Oakville artist Bruce Lawes at work in his local studio. If you have a news tip or story idea, call the Oakville Beaver at 845-3824. in'! Shakin'! Shakin'! et Shakin'! G Ge Get BellyUpBellyDance, Oakville's premiere bellydance studio, is ready to get you shakin' this summer. You can register for our fabulous summer bellydance classes and take a free class on: May 5th or May 19th 11­Noon or Noon­1pm Reserve your spot in one of the above trial classes today by calling 416.414.1115 or email info@bellyup.ca or register on-line for your class package at www.bellyup.ca 2464 Lakeshore Rd. W. Unit 1 Bronte Village, Oakville Lots of parking! CRAFT SHOW MAY 5TH & 6TH Over 120 juried crafts people In the Great Gambrel Barn, The Aberfoyle Town Hall and Individual Exhibitor Tents Handmade quality Saturday & Sunday Superior workmanship 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Great gift ideas for Mom Country decorating at it's best Adults $5.00 Live entertainment Children Under 12 FREE Beautiful Spring location Parking FREE Food Available AT: The Milton Farm Chinese Brush Painting show The Oakville Art Society, 560 Bronte Road, is presenting a show featuring Chinese Brush Painting in two different styles. Midge Prong and Joyce Wang's paintings will be on display, as well as pottery by Lai-Won Ou, from May 7­May 13. The show can be viewed Monday ­ Thursday, 10 a.m. ­ 5 p.m, and Friday ­ Sunday, 10 a.m. ­ 9 p.m. The opening reception will be held Friday May 11, from 4 ­ 8 p.m. The artists will be in attendance all weekend. bellydancestudio 8560 Tremaine Road, Milton, ON Call 905-878-8151 Hwy 25 N to Milton, follow signs. COUNTRY HERITAGE PARK the beauty of motion $1.00 OFF ONE ADMISSION WITH THIS AD OB DOWNTOWN THIS WEEK Be Your Own Fashion Buyer at a Trunk Show at 146 Lakeshore Road E Downtown Oakville (South side, 4 blocks west of Trafalgar) Wednesday, May 9th 2-9pm View the extensive Ribkoff Collection for Fall 2007 Pre-order your own unique Ribkoff look Delivery Fall 2007 No sales tax on your trunk show purchase Gift with purchase. Enjoy!! For more information please call Chatsworth & Hall at 905-338-0894 w w w. c h a t s w o r t h a n d h a l l . c o m