Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Afternoon Glare, Toronto

12 x 12 oil on canvas
We've been having some great summer weather even though it is autumn. We like to hang on to summer as long as possible. I added black to my palette again, using Ivory black, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, cad yellow med, cad yellow light, ultramarine blue, cad red. 
Thanks to John Tavares for the photo reference.




 

Friday, September 26, 2014

Queen and Bay

24 x 24 oil on board
I have to admit that I am running out of ideas for titles.Or else, since I've increased my painting time, I don't have time to think of titles. I will be showing some work at a Gallery in Kitchener called the Artisan Zone. It is a beautiful space in a lovely old building and the owners are a very enthusiastic couple with lots of ideas.
I am enjoying painting these darker looser scenes, working on more interesting brush strokes, or mark making as it is also called. With mark making, one can use any tool to make an impression on a canvas. Sometimes I remove paint with a rag, or incorporate a knife. Some artists actually do oil paintings with brayers, all adding interest in a painting.
The Hudson's Bay Store windows are on the left in the painting. It is an amazing store that seems to go on forever. I always enjoy this corner and the scenes it provides. I did a 12 x 12 of this scene, but wanted to try it on a larger scale.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Left Over Paint

10 x 10 oil on canvas
I had a lot of left over paint from working most of the day and decided to work on this scene. I took the photo on Front Street in front of Biff's Bistro. I must admit, I can't think of a suitable title. My brain is not working at all in that direction. Any suggestions?

Friday, September 19, 2014

Temperance Street in Winter

12 x 12 oil on board
I like to paint the atmosphere and feel of the city streets, but I also love the little details one finds in the city. For example, this street called Temperance has always intrigued me. I found a blog by James Bow who writes:

"The block bound by Yonge, Adelaide, Bay and Queen was owned by him, and when the city approached him in 1837 to help them build a new road west of Yonge between Richmond and Adelaide, he donated the land, with the stipulation that alcohol never be sold on the new street. Thus Temperance Street was born."

This scene features Temperance and Bay on a winter day.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

College and Spadina, Misty Rain

24 x 24 oil on canvas
I have a stack of canvases in the studio that are "duds"...paintings that I couldn't get to work for various reasons. I did this painting about three years ago but hated it. Looking at it while waiting for gesso to dry, I thought I would take another shot at it. The canvas was heavily textured, so to make it work I used a lot of knife work to even things out. I think I like it better. I have always found green to be a difficult colour to work with and this was no exception.
This is a misty rainy day at College and Spadina.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Winter Rain, University Ave, Toronto

12 x 12 oil on board
I toned down the colour in this scene and returned to a more subtle palette.
A young woman heads home from work during a winter rain.

Monday, September 15, 2014

Night Rain at King and York

12 x 12 oil on canvas
There are some street corners that always put on a show. This corner of King Street West at York changes colour as the sign on the Standard Life Building turns. I have several photos featuring different colour patterns. It was a challenging scene to paint.
People head home from work on a rainy night in the Financial District.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Reflections in Red and Blue, Queen and University

24 x 24 oil on canvas
Traffic heads up Queen Street past the Sheriton Centre for the Performing Arts on a rainy evening in Toronto.

Friday, September 5, 2014

Red Lights on King, Toronto

12 x 12 oil on canvas
Red signage and pouring rain bathed this cityscape in reds on a cold rainy night in Toronto's Entertainment District. The Kit Kat Restaurant sign dominates the top middle of the picture.