November Rain, Bay and Dundas,Toronto

24x24 oil on board

November in southern Ontario could be described as "dirty". Most of the leaves are gone, few plants are growing, and browns and grays dominate the view. The entire month seems to be cloudy.  I started this painting during the rain we had a few days ago.and continued until the rain we are having today. I knew it was a busy scene and a real challenge, but I wanted to take it on. This corner of Bay and Dundas is cluttered with unique looking buildings, street car lines running every which way, and I particularly like the sign on the side of the Canadian Tire store that states " carry only a smile, free delivery".
click on picture to see enlarged view

Shadows on Queen Street, Toronto

16x20 Oil on Canvas

I haven't been doing many larger paintings, and I decided that its time to get back to it. I feel that my value studies and smaller studies have helped enough so that I feel comfortable getting back to larger canvases. I had done a loose value study of a similar scene (see post Nov. 14) and wanted to do one with a bit more color and detail.

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Queen Street Shoppers, Vignette No. 5

6x6 oil on board
Sold to some wonderful people from Conneticut

I am really enjoying doing these small scenes. I have spent so much time lately trying to learn how to paint light and reflections, focusing on values, edges and color harmony. So much of the work I do is focused on learning so I pick my subjects very carefully. In contrast, with these small paintings, I just pick a scene I like and paint it (hopefully incorporating all of the lessons I have been learning).

In this Vignette, shoppers cross Queen Street on a late Saturday. The store "Cards and Presents" and "The Healthy Greek" are on the opposite side of the street.

Art Galler y of Hamilton Fall Fundraiser

I had 6 paintings juried into the Art Gallery of Hamilton's Fall Fundraiser and I was pleased to sell two 16x20's and one 8x10. Its great to start getting work out there, and even more of a boost to sell a few. The paintings I submitted were all Hamilton City Scenes. I was sad to see "Winter Light, King William Street" (top painting) go. I think we all have favorite paintings that we get attached to.

Old and New, Old City Hall, Toronto Vignette #4

6x6 oil on board

The clock tower of the Old City Hall in Toronto is reflected in a modern building.

Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto vignette #3

6x6 oil on board

People line up to see the show "Rock of Ages" at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in the early evening.

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Winners on Front Street ,Toronto Vignette No.2

6x6 oil on board

I love this block of restored buildings on Front Street. This little painting shows some of the details as you look up from  the Winners store on Front Street.

This painting is part of a series small vignettes of Toronto.

Impressions of a City No 1

20x20 Oil on Board

This is a monochrome block in using transparent earth brown, black and white.I am still debating how much color I want to introduce to this picture. Sometimes I like the look of them as they are.

This is Queen Street in Toronto.

Early Evening on King

6x6 oil on board

The early evening light is reflected on a streetcar as it heads past the Princess of Wales Theatre on King Street in Toronto. "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" was playing. It would have been great to drop in to see the show.

Late Saturday on Queen Street, Toronto

8x10 oil on canvas

I used a similar palette as the previous post to suggest the retreating sun on a crisp sunny fall day.

This streetcar heads west on Queen Street on a late Saturday afternoon.

Silver Light, Queen Street

8x8 oil on canvas

Just before the sun disappeared behind the buildings, this "silvery light" cast shadows on Queen Street in Toronto. When the sun starts to go "down" at this time of year, there is a very small window of opportunity to capture it. The City TV building can be seen in the background.

Moses Znaimer Way, Toronto

8x10 oil on canvas panel

Moses Znaimer is the creator behind CityTV and Much Music to name a few. This section of Queen Street is named after him. The CN Tower is in the background.

I'm still working on adding some color to a value study, trying to maintain drama and the sense of the scene. I sure wish I had paid attention in school! I began this scene with a value study in yellow ocher, black, and white.