These kinds of paintings will always be reminiscent of Claude Monet's famous painting, "Impression, Sunrise" which was the beginnings of the term impressionism. Here, I depicted the sun setting on the Lachine canal, it was a fiery tangerine orb against a neutral lilac background. In fact, the sun was long gone when I got around to filling in the orange colour, which was done using a mix of pyrol orange (PO73) and orange (PO62). I call that mix 'Montreal orange' because it looks just like a pylon or construction sign, and apparently makes the idea orange for a setting sun a la Monet.
Sunset on Lachine canal, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, July 2025
The food festival commenced this weekend, its held annually at the Peel basin on the old loading pier. In the background of course, you see the Farine Five Roses factory, actually Canada Maltage but the sign is still there, protected as a heritage feature. There were three parts to this painting, the top part with the purplish sky and building with illuminated sign and windows, the middle part with the tents and yellow-lit people, and the bottom segment which reflected the scene. It was especially tough since I forgot to bring the headlight, so by the time I finished the painting it was near dark with just a weak amber street light on, so I had no idea what it would look like until now. I got the contrasts really good, which was the main challenge. Speaking of another famous artist, I had Van Gogh's "Café Terrace at Night" in mind for this one, he painted people in front of a cafe at night bathed in yellow light.
Peel basin party, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, July 2025
On the way back I was hot and exhausted, but then there was a perfect spot to stop and paint the facade of the Bay building downtown. A nearby storefront had such bright lights that I was completely illuminated and could see what I was doing. Meanwhile across the street in the square there was some kind of south American dance party going on, I've seen it before they play music, probably Colombian or Venezuelan, and do Latin American dancing in large groups. It felt like I was in a different country for a little while. I kind of botched the painting, but its such a good spot I would go back next time, probably with a bigger piece of paper. And maybe I'll work on my Latin dance moves too!
The Bay facade night, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, July 2025
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