Silver Light, Queen Street, Toronto

20x20 oil on board

I painted this picture over another monochrome study I did a while ago. I wanted to try and capture the "silvery light" that occurs in early evening when the sun shines through a haze or thin clouds. With the underpainting already done, I was able to do the painting in three and a half hours, keeping it loose.

Evening Commute, John Street, Toronto

6x6 oil on board Sold

I spend a lot of time trying to create atmosphere and mood by experimenting with various colour palettes, paint applications, and surfaces... and as interesting as this all is, sometimes I just want to paint a picture.

 When I take photos I spend a fair amount of time in the middle of the street (as carefully as possible) and I am often rewarded with unique and interesting images. I just loved this image of a young woman cycling on John Street passing in front of a streetcar, probably heading home from work. The sun was beginning to recede behind buildings, leaving a light glow.

$100.00 plus SH

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Summer in the City, Queen Street, Toronto

20x20 Oil on Board

I have had limited time in the studio lately due to visiting family etc. and yesterday with the whole day to myself I was determined to get at it early and paint all day. My studio is extremely unorganized and I realized I had no primed surfaces to work on. So frustrating! I searched through my stacks of experimental or discarded pieces and found a momochrome value study. This study was a perfect start for a painting to depict the mood of the day and the heat wave we are having in southerin ontario.

This scene is on Queen Street next to the wonderful iron fence near the Law Society.

I was wondering what everyone does with their discards and experimental pieces and the stacks of paintings we accumulate in our studios. If you have any insights or thoughts I would appreciate hearing them. Thanks!

The El Mocambo, Toronto

16x16 oil on board

This is one of Toronto's oldest music venues, first opening in the 1800's. Probably one of the most well known venues as well.

I'm still experimenting with a limited palette to create harmony and atmosphere, using Ivory black, viridian, cadmium red, yellow ochre, and ultramarine blue.

The El Mocambo is on Spadina near College.

Curry's Artists' Materials, Dundas St W. Toronto

24x24 Oil on Board

I went back to my limited palette with this painting and used board instead of canvas. Maybe I will never find a definitive palette or surface preference and will always be experimenting with each new subject.

Curry's Art Stores sell supplies in several Canadian cities and have been selling to artists for many years. This Currys is on Dundas Street West, just down the street from the Art Gallery of Ontario and The Ontario College of Art and Design.