Cool cat night in the city

With a cold and blustery late afternoon, I rode my bike along the Maisonneuve bike path heading downtown. This scene caught my eye, and when the cat walked along the train tracks, it all came together. Of course, the cat didn't pose for me, so I tried to memorize its shape and apply it first, then added the train tracks and rest of the scene, including the graffiti on the wall. In the background is the busy corner where Cavendish intersects with st Jacques. The treeline in the background is the upper portion of the Falaise escarpment forest. 

Cat along tracks, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, November 2025

In st Henri the train goes by frequently at this time of day. A subtle pastel sky played well against the dark green pine trees and subtle blue-grey foreground. Some textures in the foreground completed the illusion of depth. I thought about touching this one up at home, but preferred to leave it as is, with a soft dreamy quality. 

Train crossing pastel sky, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, November 2025

This scene shows one of the footbridges that goes over the canal, along with a pastel reflection in the water. The classic black fence in the foreground provides necessary contrast. It was almost dark upon completion of this painting, but I forged ahead anyways. 

Canal pastel reflections, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, November 2025

Standing on the corner of Wellington and Robert Bourassa looking north west... there was this view of Place Ville Marie building in the background with its characteristic pink lights on the top. Traffic was pouring out of the city along the street which created a variety of light and dark contrasts. Hundreds of other lights could be seen in building windows, and artificial lamps in yellow, orange and white. It was a grueling painting to make on location, with a strong, cold west wind pelting me, and some damp conditions. After doing this one, I had another piece of paper ready to go, but passed on a few scenes in order to go home and get a hot cup of tea and see my favorite person in Montreal. 

Robert Bourassa Place Ville Marie, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, November 2025