Sundown on the Lachine Canal part 1

Right around 2019 the city completed the last connection for the Lachine canal bike path near ville st Pierre. I did a painting during the fall around that time, and noticed that there would be almost unlimited scenes and locations to paint up and down the canal. It turned out to be true and I have racked up probably a hundred paintings since then in and around the area that used to be a heavy industrial conduit. Not only are the sight lines great, its also quiet, and it tells a story of the history of Montreal.

Bridge and billboard over canal, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, July 2024

It was after a long day of work I rode down across the new highway overpass at st Jacques street that has a bike path going over the train tracks and autoroute 720. Emerging onto the path you get this view, looking west where the canal curves, and the shadows were long with a low sun. Coloured clouds were reflecting in the water. Thankfully the fence is black iron, which makes it a lot easier to paint than if it were white or some light colour.

Sundown on canal with Tree Shadows, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, July 2024

 

The pale green arching footbridge with a bike path takes you over the canal to Senkus street which you see in the middle of the painting, it is a fairly steep ride straight up to what is probably Lasalle, eventually leading to Park Angrignon. This is how I would ride to the park. But today the weather although hot was quite pleasant down at water level and I reeled off a string of paintings mostly from the exact same spot.

Footbridge over canal panorama, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, July 2024