Busses, self portrait, flower corner

Dropping by the bulk store in Little Italy gave me the idea to drop by the parking lot near the bus depot and try the reflections again. After last time, I was thinking about how to better paint this difficult effect and settled on a four layer approach. Layer one was the window tint and sun highlight, layer two was the interior elements and background busses, layer three was the blue sky/clouds, then layer 4 was the windshield wipers and some dark highlights to make the whole illusion pop. The further away the bus, the more sky was reflected. The clouds were also depicted in the sky of course, and the windows of the building in the background. I think trying to paint something like this takes some practice and I am getting better at it, one of the bus drivers walked by and nodded... he saw me there last time painting too. 

Three busses cloud reflections, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, August 2025

Its not often I do a self portrait, and this was more or less the way I saw it in the same parking lot. I just added some rust-coloured freckles to complete the effect. Pareidolia is the tendency to perceive inanimate objects as human faces, as you can see the back of this loader truck appeared to have two eyes a nose and a grinning toothy mouth. 

Self Portrait, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, August 2025

The bike path that runs along the train tracks in the Mile-End/Park Extension has been landscaped here and there. This corner had flowers growing, and a sign that said no dogs, no walking, no garbage. In fact, it was well respected, despite the prolific graffiti on the wall behind. 

Flowers on corner, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, August 2025