Train yard flowers highlight

Making my way over to the train yard viewing area, which is a new bike path and benches installment at the south end of Point st Charles, I saw thousands of colourful wild flowers growing near the fence. In the background were the parked VIA and commuter trains that I painted before a few times. Although the weather today was a balmy 29℃, it was incredibly windy on this location once again. Obviously, there is a wind-tunnel effect here due to the train tracks that run east/west. Painting this one was a physical challenge as much as an art challenge, I had to keep everything tight with the strong wind while manipulating teeny-tiny brushes with accuracy. I'm glad I hung in there and the painting didn't blow away, its an instant classic! 

Flowers and trains, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, October 2025

At the end of the trail, there is a very high, over 10 meter, berm of earth covered in wild flowers and a narrow goat-trail (no goats though). I marched my bike up to the top where there was a wide 2 x 3 meter flat dirt area where I could stand and paint with a good view of the train yard. The sun was reflecting off the train tops, creating a highlight at the center of mass. I started with concentric rings of light and colour, then over-painted the whole train scene. The wind up here was even stronger but I held on to everything and got the painting done, although I forgot to initial it as I made a hasty retreat down the hill. 

Train yard highlight, watercolour 7.5 x 11" cold press, October 2025