Searing in the City

Today it was searing hot in the city. I thought about how to convey heat in a painting and tried to just channel it into the painting. In the top left, the sun pierces through a hazy blue sky. Everything else is bathed in an amber glow, like french fries under a heat lamp. I just tried to stay in the shade as much as possible and also wear my boonie hat which covers a lot and has a neck cover. The further away things were, the more grey and hazy they appeared. 

Searing in the city, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, August 2025

Here is a painting of the iconic Farine Five Roses sign, you see why they city has marked it a heritage object. I have practiced painting this sign on location several times this year and each time its gets a little better. At least I got all the letters on there. The corner I was standing on, Peel and Wellington, seems to be one of the hippest corners in Montreal. The old guy painting next to his bike fit right in. 

 Farine and condos, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, August 2025

Looking west along Wellington, there is a prominent new hotel clad in green-tinted glass, its called the Griffintown Hotel. Cars were driving every which way. I start by painting an outline of the streets and buildings then fill in the blocks of colour, and finish with details. The new bike bag worked great today. Whoever designed it really though of everything, its just what I needed to set up my bike-studio. 

Griffintown Hotel, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, August 2025