Douglas Mental Hospital and Institute Colourful trees and flowers

 

The Douglas Mental Hospital and Institute is a sprawling compound located between Verdun and Crawford Park area, not far from Lasalle. We used to go there in the summer to play ultimate (frisbee sport) tournaments. I had to think of Van Gogh while doing these paintings, he was famous for painting in and around the st Remy mental hospital in southern France, although the landscape there was significantly more interesting than here. None the less, the massive building was both ominous and beautiful in a way, back then they paid attention to construction and detailing, like the green trim, and brilliant red brickwork. This was a rear view, a lot of ventilation, heating and cooling infrastructure could be seen. Behind the creepy tree, there was a low-lying shed that looked like easily 150 years old based on the crumbling stone work and distinctive yellow cross beams holding the plaster walls together. Hopefully the painting channels a bit of Van Gogh here, its a nice scene, yet slightly unsettling. 

The shadow brick is actually burnt sienna (PR101) with a healthy dollop of pyrol red (PR254), while the sunny brick (facing to the right) is mostly pyrol orange (PO73). I am including pyrol pigments this year to brighten up the brick tones since I ran out of red ochre. 

Douglas Mental Hospital and Institute rear view, watercolour 8 x 10" cold press,  May 2025

 

Another theme of Van Gogh's paintings from st Remy were the elaborate landscaping, with tall trees and flowers. He painted them on strange angles and with prolific use of red and brown, although he was unwell at the time which may have affected the artwork. I went for a more pedestrian angle, and kept it light and bright. These are actually an accumulation of things I saw around the institute, which I bundled together into one scene. A group of people from the hospital walked by and sat under those trees (there are actually benches there), a few of them came by and looked at me painting, they seemed entertained a little.

Colourful trees and flowers Douglas, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, May 2025