Umbrellas on King Street

12 x 12 oil on canvas

I take hundreds of photos on rainy and snowy days. Sometimes a really fun image shows up, and that was the case with this photo. Umbrellas are mostly black and boring so this scene provided a nice change. I often change things in my paintings and rarely paint the photo as is, but in this instance very little change was needed.

Spring Rain on Spadina

8x8 oil on canvas

Its still January, but I felt like painting a nice spring rain. I saw some robins the other day, and it made me realize that sooner or later, spring will arrive!

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.

Winter Rain, University Ave, Toronto

12 x 12 oil on board

I toned down the colour in this scene and returned to a more subtle palette.

A young woman heads home from work during a winter rain.

Umbrellas and Traffic

6x8 oil on canvas board

We haven't had much spring like weather yet. The temperature hovers around 5 degrees C and people are still getting out winter coats. And to top it off, it seems to rain every day. Its a good thing I like the rain!

People and their umbrellas wait to cross the street in Toronto, On.

Thanks to Ben Roffelson for this photo reference.

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.

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.

Silhouette, Night Rain on King

30 x 30 Oil on Canvas

This young woman is silhouetted against the traffic and streetlights on a rainy night on King Street West.

Thanks to Ben Roffelsen for this photo reference.

Umbrellas on King Street, Toronto

12 x 12 oil on canvas

Pedestrians cross in front of a Streetcar, while others wait to board on this rainy day at the corner of King and Bay Streets in Toronto Ontario.

This painting will be available at the One Of A Kind Show in Toronto in November.

St. Lawrence Market

12 x 12 Oil on canvas

 I thought I would revisit this scene using a different colour palette. This scene is from Front Street in front of the St. Lawrence Market. The gorgeous flower arrangements dominate the scene and a Beck Taxi waits out front. The Gooderham Building, also known as the Flatiron building is visible in the background.

Umbrellas on Dundas Street, Toronto

12 x 12 oil on board

Back to a rainy day scene with this picture of colourful umbrellas on Dundas and University in Toronto. I'm adding a few more colours for this rainy scene, but still keeping it very muted and atmospheric.

For this scene I used a very popular palette of Ultramarine blue, alizarin, yellow ochre, cadmium yellow dark and light, cadmium red, titanium white.

Pedestrians wait to cross the street or head to the subway station at Dundas and University in Toronto during a down pour.

TIFF Bell Lightbox in Blue

18x18 oil on panel

When I find out that I have been accepted into a show, its as if everything else in my life goes on hold and my total focus goes toward preparation for the show. It doesn't matter how many paintings I may have in the studio, there are always some that I want to get done. I recently received notice that I am accepted into the Toronto Outdoor Art Show at Nathen Phillips Square in downtown Toronto. This is a great show, and I feel honoured to be a part of it this year.

This painting features King Street with The Bell  Lightbox Building on the left.

Thanks again to Ben Roffelsen for the photo reference. 

City Lights on Wellington Street, Toronto

24x24 oil on canvas

This is the same scene as the previous post, but on a larger scale. I used the same color palette as the small study. At this stage, I need to leave it around for a bit and see if it is done. Sometimes its good to leave it before I start adding more details.

Thanks to Ben Roffelsen for the photo reference for this painting.

Night Rain in Blues

8 x 10 oil on board

I still want to do some night scenes on a smaller scale, experimenting with different night time color palettes before I attempt a larger one. For this scene, I used ultramarine blue, ivory black., cadmium red, yellow ochre, and white. 

Busy Saturday at St. Lawrence Market, Toronto

16 x 20 oil on board

I like these busy scenes, with lots of people and activity. St. Lawrence Market in Toronto is an amazing place. There are vendors outside and inside providing lots of variety. And as their website states, " Be inspired by locally-produced products and dabble in new foods and traditions from across Toronto’s vibrant cultural tapestry. Or simply come for the people watching!"

On this Saturday, there was a soft rain falling, making it a perfect day for people watching and capturing all those reflections that I love.

Spring Rain, Dundas and Spadina, Toronto

14 x 18 oil on canvas

Spring is just around the corner, but with the snow and cold weather we've been having, it doesn't seem possible. This scene is from last year, when we actually had green leaves and a nice soft rain.

This scene is at Spadina and Dundas Streets.

Nocturne No. 3

24 x 24 oil on board

Sometimes the hardest decision in a painting is finding a grey mix that is suitable for the overall background of the picture which will hopefully add to the harmony of the piece. Being a night time scene, I didn't want something too warm, so I decided on a mix of terra rosa, ultramarine blue, with a touch of ivory black. Keeping a limited palette, I hoped to mix most of the colors with adding cadmium red, yellow ochre and white. I added a couple of touches of viridian. Night scenes will be a whole new learning experience.

The local critics (husband) decided that I should remove the litter bin from the painting. I really don't mind it, but perhaps I could put in newspaper boxes instead.
 

Thanks to John Tavares for the photo reference for this painting.

Village Idiot Pub, Dundas St. West, Toronto

12 x 12 Oil on board

I love the name of this place and liked the way the corner looked on this dark and rainy day. It is located across from the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Lucky Moose Food Mart, Dundas Street Toronto

24x24 oil on canvas

There were so many exciting things in this image: umbrellas, great reflections, and the lone figure walking down the street. I decided to switch to a more traditional palette and didn't use any black (which I often include). I used ultramarine blue, permanent alizarin, transparent red iron oxide, viridian, yellow ochre, cadmium yellow medium, titanium white.