Montreal always has some surprises in store when it comes to the weather. Today was hovering around zero ℃ with snowfall that became rather wet. To paint this scene, I was standing up on the Glen hill escarpment behind the new hospital... there is an access road open to pedestrians and cyclists and a path that runs along a narrow ridge. Most of the view is st. Henri as seen from above. To paint the snow effect, I carefully brushed around little white spaces to give the illusion of snowflakes falling in front of the scenery. Its a daunting technique that requires precise brushwork.
Snow falling vista, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, November 2025
Down at the Atwater market they are selling holiday trees for Christmas, the whole parking lot area was full of them. I felt bad for the trees, technically they are still alive but disconnected from their root system. Sunlight was struggling through heavy winter clouds, creating an intense snow glow on the glistening asphalt. Snow came down the entire time I painted, making the results rather uncertain. At least I got the painting home without it smearing. Next time I should remember my 8 x 10" drying rack.
Holiday trees snow glow, watercolour 8 x 10" cold press, November 2025
To find shelter, I ventured into the Zen factory, an abandoned structure on st Patrick, despite all the warning signs, contamination and risk of collapse. Most of the flooring was gone, the stairs rickety, and electrical wires were dangling all over. I was impressed with the amount of graffiti inside the building, you can see some in the painting, which looks out towards the old Maltage building and pink house. Now, if I really was inside the building, you might be wondering why snow was falling on the painting. This could have been an egregious use of artistic license, I am known to exaggerate from time to time!
Inside Zen factory? watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, November 2025
I completed this painting on a previous trip downtown, its a massive excavation on the corner of st Catherine and st Hubert where a row of shops and apartment used to be. I am looking into the pit, with a view of the colourful construction fencing, and a variety of different foundations below. Some foundations were stacked stone, probably well over 100 years old, while other foundations were more modern brick or concrete. It was like an urban archeology site, one that will soon be filled in with new developments.
Foundations, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, November 2025
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