Wellington Street, Toronto

8" x 10"

Oil on Canvas

I can't help it. I love rainy scenes. People say there is no color on a rainy day, but I find that in some cases, the colors are exemplified. Also, in city scenes, the light source is dramatized because of the tall buildings. I want to be brave enough to do more "smooshing" of the colors to exaggerate the wetness. Often (almost always) I am afraid to change what turned out ok. I think with experience, we become more willing to experiment and not as concerned with results.
This is Wellington Street with Toronto City Hall in the back.

Evening Sun at Macdonald Marine

11" x 14"

Oil on Canvas

We have had a stretch of sunny weather here and have gotten in a little sailing. Last weekend, we had our fun regatta for people who don't often race their sailboats. In the early evening, the sun reflected a gorgeous orangy yellow over this scene. We normally think of sailboats as being more picturesque, but I thought these powerboats looked great in the September light.

"sharing"

6" x 6"
Oil on Board

A young couple shares an umbrella as they walk down Queen Street in Toronto.

"Lovin the Rain"

6" x 6"
Oil on board

I really enjoyed the way this young woman sauntered down the street, without a care, as if it wasn't pouring rain. Everyone else was hunkered down or under their umbrellas, escaping from nature's wrath. People ask me if it always rains in Toronto. And no it doesn't, but I love the rain and the reflections it creates. My husband pretty much hates the rain, so he is very good to begrudgingly come along for walks with me, and be the umbrella holder.
This crosswalk scene is from Yonge Street in Toronto.
Also, I've decided to start a new blog for my "Drinks With the Masters". I have too many ideas in my head that I must do!

Bay and Queen, Toronto

19" x 15"
Oil on Board

I wanted to do a busy city scene with wires etc. I have to say, I really had my work cut out for me with this one. It was really hard. Simply put. I don't know how many times I changed the color of the poles. And as usual, I still may not be done, but its time to get away from it and decide.
This scene is from the corner of Queen and Bay Street in downtown Toronto.

Morning dew and coffee

6" x 6"
Oil on Board

While working on this little scene, I noticed that it started looking like some of the paintings from the 1940's. I decided I liked the look, and left it with that feel to it. This is our local Tim Hortons. It is so early, the morning dew is still on the grass.

Subway Station Shelter

20" x 16"
Oil on Canvas

I wanted to do something with a little more color. When doing a city scene, objects need to relate to the scenery around them, so that the perspective isn't lost. with bold colors, this is harder to do.
This is a scene from Union Station in downtown Toronto. People are heading down to the subway or Go Transit. A line of Taxicabs wait on the street.

Reflected

6" x 6"
Oil on Board

I'm not sure if I'm completely happy with this picture, but I think it "works". In my first attempt, I tried to paint the bike in a more detailed manner, trying to paint the color and details I saw. I wiped that one. I realized that the only thing that makes the bicycle discernible is the reflected light shape in the bicycle tires and around the bicycle. It is all "suggested shapes".

The French Fry Truck

16" x 18"
Oil on board

I never know when I'm finished a painting. I like to stop at a point anyway, let the picture sit around for a couple of days, and decide if it needs more work. Inevitably, I will find things that I don't like. For example, I already realized that I forgot the gull's beak. Ha. Also, undecided about whether to put in the city wires. The title is temporary. Needs much more thought....
This scene is from Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto during the Outdoor art festival.

16" x 18"
Oil on Board

Thanks to all of your encouraging words, I am definitely entering the contest! I have decided to submit another one as well. It is a little different...same sort of atmospheric quality (I hope) but a sunny day. I liked the way the crowd was gathered at this French Fry truck in downtown Toronto. Also, I caught the scavenging seagull at just the right moment. At this stage in the painting, I am working on blocking in the values with some color added. As you can see from the monitor in the photo, I use this to work from. You can still "squint" and see depth and atmosphere. I call it painting "en plein monitor".

"Crosswalk in the Rain"

11" x 14"
Oil on Canvas

I have been toying with idea of submitting a painting to International Artist magazine. I have been experimenting with painting more people..this months contest is people and figures. I don't know why I want to choose such complicated pictures....they can be extremely frustrating! Often I choose them because I like certain aspects. In this one, I liked the different reflections on the crosswalk, and of course the bright red purse.
This scene is from downtown Toronto on Yonge Street with the Hard Rock Cafe in the background. I need help with titles. I seem to have no imagination in this department! Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Queen Street Cyclist, Toronto

6" x 6"
Oil on Board

A cyclist heads down Queen Street in Toronto. Toronto downtown, like any big city, is full of people, bicycles, street cars and cars. Toronto seems to have more bicycles than normal. Its either because we are more environmentally friendly, or its impossible to drive there.

San Francisco afternoon

20 x 13.5
Oil on Board
I decided to try the challenge from Different Strokes from Different Folks. I enjoy city scenes, so this one kind of fit in. Also, it wasn't a rain picture! I usually like to experience a place or scene first hand, so it was a little difficult just going by a photo. I also tried to keep it loose and not attempt too much detail.

Toronto Cabbies

6x6 Oil on Board

Toronto cabs have such great colors. I think a person could do a whole series with these wonderful colors. Hmmm. Downtown scenes are great in that the tall buildings provide a distinct light source.

Sunshine and Coffee

6" x 6"

Oil on Board

Yes, we do have sun sometimes! After our walk, Bailey (my dog) and I stopped for coffee and two plain "timbits" for him. The sun was shining brightly. This Tim Hortons is in Dundas Ontario.

These Boots are Made for Walkin 2

8" x 10"
Oil on Foam Board
This is version no. 2 of this picture (see posting July 16 ) with the magenta ground. I can't believe our (me only?) urge to copy. I had to actually move the painting No.1 to another room so that I wouldn't refer to it. I have to admit to actually going there once. Its really pathetic. ha. I went with much stronger color than normal. My comfort zone is using cadmium red, diox violet, earth brown, cobalt blue, cadmium yellow deep, black, white. As I mentioned before, painting on this foam board allows me to loosen up. I'm not sure why. My husband says that I will need to be hypnotized to believe that canvas is foam board, and then I won't have the urge to tighten up.

Red Coat and Strappy Sandals, Toronto

6" x 6"
Oil on Board

Walking in downtown Toronto on a rainy evening.
Red is so challenging. What color are the shadows? Its a strong color, but how does one make it stand out and look lighter without using white or yellow and diluting the wonderful red. So many complications in a picture.

Minden Tims

6" x 6"
Oil on Canvas

While visiting my daughter in Minden Ontario this past weekend, I noticed this great floating Tims sign. I am fascinated with unique quirky signage and all things Tims. This sign was floating on a board in a marshy area on the edge of a lake. In an area surrounded by lakes, marsh, and the Canadian shield, I thought this quite creative. Minden Ontario is north of Toronto in "cottage country". It is called the "near north" because it isn't really north, I guess. It is north enough to have bears, wolves, moose, deer etc. and plenty of cold weather and snow in winter.

Crossing Dundas Street, Toronto Ontario

6" x 6"

Oil on Board
People crossing Dundas Street during the afternoon commute in Toronto Ontario.

I would like to thank Laurel Daniel for giving me the Bella Sinclair award for "friendship, sisterhood, caring and sharing. I will take this opportunity to pass it on to others who have been encouraging in their comments or who I respect for their contributions in making the "web world" a better place.
MaryAnne Carey, Tammy Hext, Carol Schiff Studio, Kathy Weber, Carol Marine (I don't know Carol on a "comment" basis, but in following her blog, I believe her to be one of the hardest working, positive, encouraging artists out there. The Yoda of art bloggers.) and (following Laurel Daniels lead) my sister Paula. My sister has always supported me and encouraged me to keep working and keep trying. She is a firm believer in the adage: if you believe in yourself and follow your heart, good things will happen. Thank you Paula!

These Boots are made for walkin in the Rain

10" x 8"
Oil on Foam Board

This painting had the ground in diox violet and Trans earth brown. I often like to work on this background color.
This young woman was walking down a very reflected Queen Street in Toronto.