Rainy Night at the Opera, Queen and University

30x30 oil on canvas

This is an amazing building, and very difficult to portray. The lighted glass building provided a difficult image with the back drop of dark buildings. Its one of those paintings that I had to get away from for a bit so that I wouldn't keep messing with it.  As it dries I will decide what it needs.

This corner of Queen and University is home to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

January Cold, King Street, Toronto

24 x 24 Oil on Canvas

We have been having unusually cold weather here in Southern Ontario. I took this photo when it was about minus 20 Celcius (around minus 4 F). The wind was blowing and everyone on their way home from work was rushing to get Streetcars buses or trains to escape the weather. The sidewalks were cleared of snow, leaving cool colours on the cold concrete, highlighted by streetlights or traffic lights.

Rainy Night at the Theatre, King and York

36 x 48 oil on canvas

The colours were quite different in this piece. I like this corner at King and York. The colours of all the surrounding elements change with the light on the Standard Life Building. The building across the street changes from mauve to blue, depending on the reflecting light. I have to admit it was challenging.

This couple heads home after an evening at the Theatre on King Street. The Standard Life Building is on the right, its yellow lights glowing in the night rain.

Night Rain on King Street, Toronto

36x36 Oil on canvas

I've starting working on some larger pieces for The Artist Project, a show that starts in February. I am always surprised at how much time is taken up over holiday times with family and other visiting. And of course, the studio clean up and re organization after the show in December. It seems to take a month to get back on track. I was able to get some great pics in Toronto in December during a nasty weather event of rain, snow, and wind. Perfect conditions for reflections and interesting colours.

With this painting, I used  the palette I've used in the last few paintings: Titanium white, Alizarin crimson, ultrmarine blue, viridian, cadmium yellow, cad red,  and a couple of cooler yellows that I found at the back of a drawer.

This scene features the Sun Life Building on King Street West. And of course there are streetcars, a hotdog stand, and snow banks piled on sidewalks.