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28 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 23, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Oakville artist semifinalist for RBC Canadian Painting Competition By Hiba Kesebi SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Amanda Reeves applied to the RBC Canadian Painting Competition in 2006. Lucky for her, she wasn't selected as a finalist. That's because the 33-year-old painter applied again this year, and was able to advance to the semifinals and reap all the benefits of achieving this standing during the competition's 10-year anniversary. "This is an exceptional year for the RBC Canadian Painting Competition as it celebrates its 10th year and the Canadian Art Foundation is proud to continue to be a part of this great Canadian tradition," said Ann Webb, executive director of the Canadian Art Foundation. In celebration of its anniversary, the competition will award 12 semi-finalists with a prize of $7,500. Like always, two honourable mentions will receive $15,000 each, and the national winner will be awarded with $25,000. "It is a good year to be making it this far," laughed Reeves, who is guaranteed a cash prize of at least $7,500. A jury will decide in September whether her painting will succeed into the top three. Reeves said that she is most interested in using controlled shape elements in her paintings. For this painting she chose to use circles. Reeves created an immersive colour experience where the colours of circles are mixed and layered intuitively, with each circle paint- Amanda Reeves ed in response to the others. As the eye moves around the painting, the circles appear as shadows of one another and after images begin to multiply. The result: a perceptual phenomenon that causes the viewer to feel a dynamic sense of movement. "Ghost circles slide in and out of the peripheral vision of the viewer," she explains, adding that this effect increases the layering and complexity of the painting. While Reeves is excited for the cash prize, she admits that her main objective is to gain exposure. "The competition is an opportunity to gain exposure as a young painter, Canada wide," she said. Reeves didn't discover her passion for painting until she graduated from high school to go to the University of British Columbia to study Marine Biology. "I was always good in science," she smiled. "My teachers would write on my report cards, that I'd make a great career in science one day." However, although good at it, Reeves felt that science wasn't her passion. "I always felt the urge to create, and painting just felt right," she said. In 2005, Reeves decided to go to the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting. Since then her paintings have been featured in the Drabinsky Gallery and the P|M Gallery in Toronto. The works of the competition's national winner and the two honourable mentions will become part of the RBC art collection to be displayed in RBC locations across the country. In honour of the 10th anniversary the 12 semi-finalists' work will also become a part of the Canadiana Fund's Crown Collection. The competition was established in 1999 and is the largest of its kind in Canada. It serves as a tribute to Canada's artistic talent. It aims to support and nurture Canadian visual artists early in their career by providing them with the opportunity of displaying their talent to the country. Extra show for Girl's Night Out Due to overwhelming response, a second comedy show has been added for women who like to giggle and fight breast cancer with some belly laughs. Award-winning Canadian comics Laurie Elliott and Debra DiGiovanni will take to the stage for the Girl's Night Out Comedy Event on July 29 at O'Finn's Irish Temper and Whiskey Lounge, 136 Church St. in downtown Oakville. The first show at 8 p.m. is sold out, but tickets are now available for the second 9:30 p.m. show. The fundraising event is being organized by three Oakville women -- Christine Reidy, Deirdre Thomas and Victoria Hayes -- who are participating in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer benefiting The Campbell Family Institute at the Princess Margaret Hospital, Sept. 5 through 7. The trio is looking to raise more than $6,000 for Breast Cancer Research. The two stand-up comediennes have just finished the first leg of their crossCanada Girl's Night Out tour along with U.S.-based comic Kristeen von Hagen. Both Elliott and DiGiovanni have also participated in Laugh Lines over the years -- an annual all-female comedy fundraising night for the Princess Margaret Hospital. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased before the performance at O'Finn's or through Deirdre Thomas at 905-8159460. The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday March 3, 2004 - C7 East Side Mario's gets a new look and new menu This family-owned and operated restaurant steps it up a notch... Italian style! It's novel, it's new and it's everyone's favourite Italian Eatery...it's East Side Mario's! Renovated, re-branded and rejuvenated, Oakville's Winston Park AMC location has added an extra `dash' of Italy into its celebrated venue and menu. Though always a pleasing dining experience, owner Dave Christensen decided to `take it up a notch'. Passionate about his restaurant and the community he serves, Christensen stays current on what it takes to grow within today's market place. "We started to lose `our zip'...it was time for a change." Through solid research and nation-wide polls, the result was unanimous. The public wanted more of an Italian `flavoured' restaurant. Making this Canada's only Italian franchise, says Dave, "We've changed everything from concept, menu, including our logo to keep more in tune with an `up-to-date' Italian restaurant. Renovations complete, the new look is fresh and exciting, boasting 52" plasma TV screens. Creating a zesty European panache, "We've streamlined the restaurant and fashioned what once was an innocuous bar into a comfortable, friendly focal point." What has not and will never change is this family owned business' personal dedication to customer satisfaction. Dave and his wife, Susan, have operated their restaurant hand in hand...now celebrating in unison with their neighbouring Cinema's 10th Anniversary! Proud parents of 6 children, this family works as a team. With 2 sons as Managers, Dave says, "We have so much fun doing it." It is that `family oriented' atmosphere that embraces one as if in a Tuscan village. Offering something for everybody, the menu choices are delectable and the cuisine as diverse as its ingredients. East Side Mario's `refreshment' has resulted in an upscale polished venue complimented by an authentic Italian flair. Considered one of Oakville's favourite meeting places, friends and family convene on the new patio whilst listening to live music or watching from a selection of outdoor televisions. Voted Oakville Reader's favourite Italian eatery, the Christensen's will continue to do what it takes to please their clientele. Dave and Sue Christensen, owners (RIGHT) along with family members pose for a picture inside the newly re-renovated East Side Mario's at Winston Churchill and the QEW. Photo by Daniel Ho. Celebrating their enhanced `Italian flair and fare', they welcome you to join in the festivities. What are we waiting for...see you on the patio at East Side Mario's