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You can‘t help but notice Jim Paterson‘s artwork The genial, energetic, even exuâ€" berant Paterson thinks art should be accessible to people, both intelâ€" lectually and financially. His whimsical works which feature (amongst other things) loons dressed as Mounties and fisherman (some riding zebras), hockey playâ€" ers, boats, and northern pike, have wonderful titles like "The McMusical Ride," "Mother Serving Turkey Rises Above the Mundane" and "Rising Above the Crowd Wasn‘t So Hard Once He‘d Learned to Let Go." (The loon policeman riding the zebra is called "Mountie on Safari,") When you drive by his house this is what you think: either an artist lives here or a nut case. His yard is planted with colorful, provocative things; totems conâ€" structed of television sets, psychedelic crucifixes, men in suits and ties, flattened hubcaps, mirrors and more. Lately, a big old white Bentley automobile has been parked there. The car is for sale. "I like my art to be amusing," he said recently interviewed in his home studio, "but also to have an edge. Something that digs a little." It is sometimes the job of the artist to observe and point out the idiosyncrasies and apparent contraâ€" dictions of life, the reporter mused. "Well thank you, the artist said with a broad smile, "I agree." He said he takes his inspiration from the world around him, everyâ€" day ordinary fare, which through his eyes "is sometimes stranger than fiction." Paterson has a boyish laugh. He dresses in painterly fashion, tâ€"shirt and chinos, his hair a mop of I am reminded of the Rudyard Kipling chestnut: "Very clever, but is it art?" Jim Paterson, at 36, is very much a multiâ€"media man. He has a beautiful family, a home on the banks of the Fourteen Mile Creek, and some funny ideas about art. here is an artist who lives on i Bronte Road. He works, often with his brother, a carâ€" penter, primarily in the genre we call "folk art," though he has yet to win the title of folk hero. Hm. I do not know about the unruly curls. He likes to talk, we gather, he really likes to talk about art and life, almost as much as he likes to paint and draw. The ideas are important to him. "I am trying to make my art at least approachable," he said, "I don‘t want to pander, but I‘m happy to come half way and kind of educate people to my reality â€" what I am saying about what I see." Welcome to a wonderful way to save money, on a regular basis, at many local stores and businesses. As a subscriber to the Oakville Beaver, you are entitled to ongoing savings as listed in the "Shop Locally" guidebook or as advertised in the Oakville Beaver throughout the year. Every new subscriber or anyone that has a paid in advance subscription will receive two "Shop Locally Cards". Additional member cards may be obtained for the convenience of other household family members for only $5.00 each. Simply carry your card with you, and present it when you make a purchase or before placing an order at any of the participating merchants. You will automatically receive the bonus or discount as listed. You may use your card every time ou go shzfiping, and you may use it as often as you like. Your card is valid for as long as your subscription is in effect. ore merchants are joining in all the time. Be sure to ask, every time you shop. It‘s a great way to save money regularly, and let people know that you support "Shop Locally". SHOP LOCALLY ‘94 If you would like to become a "SHOP LOCALLY" Merchant please contact the Oakville Beaver at 845â€"3824 Kmart Pedigree Pets of Oakville Burloak Blind Cleaners Manning Jewellers Unique Jewellery Gifts Lick‘s Stereo Den Dorâ€"Mel Bridal Formal Wear Software Galore Penwood Furniture Capiati Mardi Gras Restaurant Bar Oakville Florist Shop Kiddie Kobbler Harbour Craft Navy Blues Cafe Golden Griddle The Harbour Hound Barbeque ‘N Leisure Living House of India He doesn‘t believe all art needs to be heavyâ€"handed and awesome. Like science and religion it needs to be questioned, discussed and understood. "Art is an expression of your particular reality," he said. One of his frequent images is the man in suit and tie. (His men used to have hair but now they are bald.) What he sees is a lot of peoâ€" ple alienated from their surroundâ€" ings, using this traditional business attire as a "suit of armour" to proâ€" tect them from the outer world and Paterson believes art should be an expression of "who you are," whether you create it or collect it: Bamboo Garden Restaurant El Spero Calico Craft Shoppe Gege‘s Pizza The Theme of Things Jet Auto Centre The Brewing Experience C.1.S. Workwear Roma Bella Cleaners Country Donuts Birdlife Services Oakville Wendy‘s The Quilt Patch Air Cell Communications Brass Collections White Oaks Opticians The Hair People Continental Mirror Glass Co. Eastside Auto Service (See ‘Awardâ€"winning) Would like to Welcome these Merchants to our Shop Locally Program Presents The Fish Chip Place Barkley Opticians First Choice Hair Cutters Oakville Glass Mirror Ltd. 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