Saturday, May 1, 2010

Parade of Umbrellas, Yonge Street, Toronto

18x18 Oil on Canvas
From quiet to busy. This scene had so much pink and red, I decided to introduce a new color. Quinacridone rose by Graham and Co. One has to be careful about adding too many colors, as often a limited palette works better at keeping the painting together. But I wanted to have some fun with color.
Another Yonge Street scene with the Hard Rock Cafe in the background and the Eaton Centre to the right.

15 comments:

myra anderson said...

This is beautiful! I love the different textures and the primary colors of the umbrellas.

JeMA said...

Catherine, Just found your website through foliotwist. I just love your paintings, the people, the movement. I enjoy how real you are on your blog posts! Love this new work and the new color

Ramesh Jhawar said...

Very nice, Catherine!

LindaHunt said...

I like the pattern of the sidwalk and the pattern on the bag in the lower left hand corner of the painting. The atmosphere that you create in your paintings is just beautiful.

Susan Roux said...

Its a fun painting. I find pink adds romance to a painting and perhaps that is what is so alluring about this piece. The shapes and colors dance my eye around in merriment. Though its raining, one wishes to be there...

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Love the back-lit guy on the bicycle!

I have images of you in my head, running with your camera, down to the city to take photos. You must get excited when you read a weather report for storms!

Molly said...

I love these scenes and I have loved seeing your work change since you've started this blog. I think the new studio has proper sorted you out.
Since you love these rain scenes, how about taking a little trip to the rainiest place I've ever been- England! Sometimes you can practically swim around the city.
Keep up the amazing work, I love coming to your blog.
Lots of love.

Marie Theron said...

Hi Catherine, I love "Yonge Street" scenes. How do you get there, is it walking distance? Do you brave the Canadian weather all the time? Like Linda, I found that bag so cute. It leads the eye onto the rhythm of the umbrellas and strollers, the patterns and those misty distant buildings. The pinks that you have introduced contribute to the atmosphere.

Tammy Hext said...

I love the shadows of the people and the greys and pinks work great here.

Edward Burton said...

Wonderful piece, Catherine. I love the well composed composition and the rosy quality - beautiful.

Catherine Jeffrey said...

Thanks for all of your positive comments.
Carol, I actually do that. When I see a weather report that interests me (usually stormy or rainy) I head into the city and take as many photos as possible.
Marie, Young Street is in downtown Toronto, a 45 minute train ride away. Yonge Street is one of the main downtown streets and it is full of small stores, interesting signage and buildings that have been there forever. i love going out in any weather, although I almost froze my hands photographing a setting sun on a very cold winter day.

Marie Theron said...

It is so good to concentrate on one theme or area, Catherine! Although I do not begrudge you the little cottage with the lilacs!!!! But the fact that you study the weather and go back to the same area is an important contribution to art.

I was fortunate to see a Jasper Johns exhibition in the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. His slogans were also painted on the walls in larger than life fonts: "Take an object, do something to it, do something else to it!" and also: "Every solution is a new beginning"
And that is exactly what you are doing here.

Catherine Jeffrey said...

I agree totally Marie that it is good to concentrate on one theme. There is so much more to see and learn from this area, and it excites me, so I must keep going. I'm glad that you and Jasper Johns understand what I am doing here. His words are so insightful.

Gwen Bell said...

Terrific perspective and atmosphere! Love how the red umbrella is so filled with light that it reflects on the skin and even a bit through the following umbrella. Magic!

DianeLeonard.com said...

This is indeed a great painting -- love the feeling, the colors and the light - masterpiece, Catherine -- I found your site from Susan Roux -- so glad I did.