Winter, Queen and University

30 x 30 Oil on Canvas

This is a typical slushy wet winter day in southern Ontario. After a snowfall, the streets are cleared and salted resulting in a wet slushy mix on sidewalks and streets. This scene features the fence at Osgoode Hall on University Avenue in Toronto.

King Of Kensington

8 x 10 oil on panel

A week ago Saturday during an all day rain, I took several pictures of various Toronto Neighbourhoods. I walked from The Distillery District through downtown, then Kensington Market and finished up in Little Italy. There is no better way to take reference photos than walking a long way, even if tired and wet from the rain.

Kensington Market is a very eclectic mix of markets and stores, as Blogto says: "Toronto's most unique neighbourhood, Kensington Market retains its charm and wonderful diversity through its eclectic mix of vintage clothing stores, Latin American grocers, fresh produce, cafes and watering holes. Defiantly independent and progressive"....its definitely worth a visit.

While walking through the streets, this unique automobile came down the street and parked under a King of Kensington sign. I could't resist doing a small painting of the scene. The graffiti added an interesting touch.

The Colours of King

11 x 14 oil on panel

I put a little more detail in the figure than I normally do, but still tried to keep it loose. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am "warming" up my colour palette with the addition of terra rosa and transparent oxide red.

Last week we had a March rainfall (with a touch of snow)  and I was able to get some evening photographs in the King Street area. There were lots of interesting umbrellas.

In this scene, a young woman walks past Tiff Bell Lightbox on King Street.

March Sun, Late Afternoon on Adelaide Street

24 x 24 oil on panel

The sun after a snow storm can be brilliant, the moisture having cleared the particles from the air. This street is Adelaide at Spadina with the sun sinking in the late afternoon sun.

Grace O'malleys, Snowy Evening

8x10 oil on panel

I'm working on a few "vignettes" while I get ready to start some larger paintings. Its always good to get a sense of composition and colour before getting out the large canvas.

Grace O'Malleys is an Irish Pub on Duncan Street in Toronto's entertainment district.

Crossing at King and Simcoe

8 x 10 oil on panel

Our weather has been all over the place, from spring like conditions with rain to the snow storm we had yesterday. I have been wanting to add some warmer colours back into my palette. I have been using a predominately cool palette, but some scenes call for warmer colours. I have added transparent oxide red and terra rosa into the mix. I thought this scene was a good way to start with the warmer building colours and a spring rain.

This small study is at King and Simcoe in Toronto's Entertainment District. The Elephant and Castle Pub is on the left.

Rain at Bay and Richmond, Toronto

8x10 oil on panel

Another study. This scene features the corner of Bay and Richmond in Toronto's financial district.