Scotty, Canim Lake. Acrylic on canvas. 16×20 inches.
Tim Francis grew up with art. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, his mother, internationally acclaimed artist, Dorothy Francis, gave him lots of encouragement.
Tattoo. Acrylic and pencil crayon on canvas. 18×24 inches.
Like many artists he got A’s in art at school. In grade seven he substituted a very detailed drawing of an oil refinery for an assigned essay, receiving an A+. That experience helped shape his view of how he might get by in the world.
As a young adult, Francis attended the Applied Arts program at Capilano College in North Vancouver, playing drums in a rock band and driving taxi to pay the rent.
White Boat, South Barriere Lake. Acrylic on canvas. 16×20 inches.
He fell into a career in commercial art to pay the bills while he simultaneously pursued his painting. The commercial art pursuits eventually resulted in a career as Art and Advertising Director at a suburban newspaper in Vancouver. Later he and wife, Janice, moved to East Barriere Lake in the BC interior where they purchased the local newspaper.
It’s a song of life experience that has moulded Francis into the artist he is today. After selling the newspaper, Francis turned again to full-time painting.
Moving for artists is not only disruptive but can be life changing, and it almost always affects a painter’s artwork. Francis is no exception. His work changed dramatically after moving to Kamloops from East Barriere Lake. Soft, sun drenched water scenes turned to starker, more angular work, and the figure disappeared.
“My latest works pretty clearly reveal our move to Kamloops in 2004,” says Francis. “I’ve been deliberately loosening up my style on the new landscapes because I’m more interested in atmosphere than I am in representation these days. I want to convey on to canvas my feelings for this incredibly diverse region.”
Hail Spouts, Kamloops. Acrylic on canvas. 20×24 inches.
“In the end, all art is subjective,” says Francis. “Its relevance is subject to the interpretation of the viewer. The deeper the viewer’s emotional engagement, the better.”
Tim Francis has exhibited in galleries in Kamloops, Vancouver, Victoria, Chemainus, Calgary, Montreal and Cannon Beach, Oregon. He has been featured in International Artist Magazine and one of his works is in the permanent collection of the Shell Oil Company. His work can currently be found at the Karla Pearce Art Gallery in Kamloops.
Rabbit Island, Kamloops. Acrylic on canvas. 18×24 inches.
Have a look at www.timfrancis.ca to see a comprehensive collection of Tim’s art.