The Main is what some people used to call st Laurent street, it cuts a swath through many neighborhoods in Montreal including China town. In the painting, you can see the south gate at the end of the street looking southwards, and on the right are some of the tall apartments and shops in shadow, on the left are more shops including a fruit and vegetable shop in the foreground. The street of course is jammed with parked cars and a constant flow of traffic which I felt really belonged in the scene to complete the ambiance. It was a difficult location, I had to wedge my bike between a tree and a parking meter and try to stay on the edge of the sidewalk to get a good enough view. I almost didn't do another painting because of the oppressive heat and humidity, but then I saw a mural that said "1990's China Town: with a heart underneath (you can see a version of it off to the left), which inspired me to try and do justice to the scene. In the end I am glad I stuck with it, the painting really gives a sense of the crowded street, filled with light and popping with highlights.
China Town view down Main Street, watercolour 8 x 10" cold press, July 2024 (No. 3875)
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