To get down to these magnolia trees on Nun's Island, I rode my bike over a few bridges, through Park Jean Drapeau, and followed the bike path. Due to construction barriers I had to ride on the speedway for a bit, at this time of year the speedway is used by the 'spandex people' who ride fast on really expensive bikes. Last year I got down here but the weather was gloomy, and in previous years the weather was rough. Today was the perfect combination of flowering trees and bright sun. Unfortunately that also meant a lot of tourists down here and one can hardly paint in peace.
Pink magnolia close-up, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, May 2025
Adjacent white and pink magnolias were nestled in among tall coniferous and deciduous trees. In the foreground, there were yellow daffodils and other small plants, with a patch of some kind of flowering plant that looked like kale or cabbage in a way. In the background the tall buildings of Montreal could be seen across the river. As I painted, there was a wedding going on behind me. Although Chad and Tara did not invite me to their wedding, I got to listen to the speeches and ceremony playing over the loud speakers. Maybe I could have snuck into the buffet. At any rate, it was a picturesque location.
Magnolias with daffodils, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, May 2025
This area on Nun's Island is called the Green Survival Garden, a gift from the USA in 1980 according to a bronze sign nearby. 1980 of course was the first year of the Reagan presidency, and he was well known for having decent environmental policies. So did Brian Mulroney, both being conservatives. In the foreground, there was the interesting multi-coloured leafy plant with pink flowers. The colour of the pink magnolia tree was simply quinacridone magenta (PR122). Starting in the 1990's watercolour paint started using 'lipstick' pigments, literally the same pigments used in the manufacture of lipstick.
Green Survival Garden, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, May 2025
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