Community Artwork

Talking about equality and lack thereof, we noticed how our neighborhood is starkly different along community lines. Across Côte Saint-Luc road, the tall rows of brown brick triplexes gives way to sprawling single family dwellings surrounded by green grass lawns. This painting is one of contrasts, the dry lawn in the foreground compared to the watered green lawn in the background, and the single level bungalow house compared to high density triplex. The wind was fierce when I did this one, almost blew away my palette a few times. 

Community Line, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, June 2021 (No. 2722)

 

Back on Côte Saint-Luc road I found this impressive scene of apartment blocks each with its own character. The white truck in the foreground was a parked delivery truck, which I hoped would stay for longer but it drove away midway through the painting. To make a painting like this, I first do the outline and then fill in the details. The cars zipping by, I just had to go by brief impressions. I decided to make one of the cars red just because it is fun to use ferrari red paint (PR254... pyrole red).

Community Windows, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, June 2021 (No. 2722)

 

There is a community center at the corner of Walkley and Côte Saint-Luc road with little bits of grass and some fenced in green spots. The locals hang out here and the kids have a small patch of lawn to play on. An expensive jet black SUV was parked at the curb, its buffed door panels were reflecting the community center lawn. Its gleaming chrome and luxurious qualities contrasted the rusted iron fence with weeds and wildflowers growing. Yet the circular iron design mirrored the hubcap, and was in itself reflected in the car doors. This was one of those paintings that just came together, the concept, composition, and technique worked. Rendering the car was complex, the mirrored image was warped and had reduced value and chroma. The window and parts of the chrome, body and window were also reflecting the sky. The main message is the stark divide in wealth that can be seen if one takes a moment to notice it.

Community Reflection, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, June 2021 (No. 2722)