Local Artist Featured at Yorkville Public Library

After nearly four decades of creating art and a 2,000-mile move, Paul Nickless has brought his work to Yorkville.

A native of the Canadian province of Alberta, Nickless, 38, has been living in Oswego for a year and a half.  After moving from Vancouver, with his wife and son, Nickless settled into their new home and made a studio in the basement.

His work is on display in the Yorkville Public Library until Aug. 15.

“I’ve always done art,” Nickless said. “My mom has quite the vault of my work.  I started painting portraits at four.” 

All the paintings on display at the library are oil on canvas, a favorite medium of Nickless’ that he has been working with for 16 years. 

“I’ve done water color and acrylic, but it’s different when you find something that grooves with you,” Nickless said. “I like that you can come back and work it.”

Nickless attended Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton, Alberta, for graphic design and visual communications.  Before moving to Oswego, he was a senior advertiser in Vancouver. 

Nickless is currently looking for work in graphic design. 

The works on display are large abstract pieces that Nickless hopes will evoke some emotion.

“As long as they get something from it.  Everybody can see what they want to,” Nickless said. “Ultimately, I do it for myself. I like the chance to express myself and the physical nature of it.”

A former member of the Kendall Arts Guild, Nickless was approached to do the show last year by guild member Sharyl Iwanski, who also works at the library.

“In his work you can always find something new," Iwanski said.  "In particular, I’ve been looking at ‘Hunter’s Peace' and seeing something.  Maybe it’s not even there but that’s art.”

Nickless’ work is currently on sale.  He is represented by both by Artworks Gallery in Vancouver and Proud Fox Gallery in Geneva.  His work is also on display in the Oswego Village Hall.

The biggest struggle for Nickless after moving from Vancouver to Oswego?

"I really like it here,” said Nickless, “It's just different. I'm still surrounded by natural surrounding here which is a huge influence. I just don't have the amount of abstract artists here to draw from as I did in Vancouver.”

His basement also is quite different from his old studio in a rundown part of Vancouver. 

“I was playing hopscotch with all the dirty needles on the sidewalk,” Nickless said. “It was dangerous.”

Nickless encourages viewers to give him feedback and to try art for themselves.

“You don’t have to create the Mona Lisa or the Sistine Chapel,” he said. “It’s been done, and it’s been done by the best. Just do what you do, and that’s it.” 

For more information visit, www.paulnickless.com or www.artforanglers.com.