Ride across the river, not much farther

 

Across the river, which can be reached by the ice-control bridge path going from Nun's island, there is the south canal which also has a bike path. In this view, you see the end of the Champlain bridge going down into Brossard or Longueil, it spans the south canal. I am standing on the long bike path that stretches all the way from Kahnawake Mohawk reserve to st Helen Island. Today though, the east direction to st Helen island was blocked off for construction. To paint wild flowers like this, one has to leave all the white and coloured free by painting the green foliage around the shapes. 

Wild flowers near bridge, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, July 2025

 

What could I do but stand at the construction fence blocking the way and make a painting. To show my disdain, I included the port-o-let! In fact, the south canal smelled like raw sewage today, so the whole place kind of reeked and I was glad to turn around. 

Construction near bridge, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, July 2025

 

Back on Nun's island, I found a new pedestrian area where I could set up and paint in relative peace. Just the sounds of cars, trucks, and commuter trains rumbling by overhead, and noisy seagulls from the river. The mountain in the distance is probably Sutton mountain, but it could be mount st Hilaire, its always hard to tell. If you notice the strange pink thing on the bottom right, its because this was done on the front side of "Apple Eye, Shrimp in the Sky." For this summer I cut a number of 22 x 30" abstracts for more location painting paper. The original painting was okay, but it clearly needed more shrimp in the sky. 

Champlain bridge south view, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, July 2025

 

 

Just to the left of the bridge scene, there was a very small island of rocks with some foliage, and the gulls were taking advantage. The entire time, these gulls were making loud gull-noises, that distinctive screeching caw-sound. It was good to be close to the water for a change. 

Gulls on rocks, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, July 2025

 

On the way back, I noticed this scene out of the corner of my eye. Luckily there was a decent footpath down to the shore and a spot to set up my bike and paint the scene. Its probably for lazy people who want to fish here. The chair was an ornate wicker chair, dyed in a blue-green. Brand new, this chair must have been nice, now its faded and weather beaten. If you follow my blog you know I like painting random chairs in the city. For example, 'Field Work' done near Harley street was a good one.

Chair near River, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, July 2025