Zen factory growth and graffiti

I've always enjoyed painting down at the so-called Zen Factory, its actually an old business that shut down ten years ago, and has since been degrading steadily and plastered with graffiti. This scene shows part of the front facade, with large trees growing, and my initials in pink graffiti letters. 

Zen factory growth magenta PJD, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, September 2026

Same spot, looking due north towards st Patrick street and the Lachine canal in the background. I keyed in on this pile of old asphalt and concrete with wild plants growing all around. It is a textural and organic location to paint. 

Pile of asphalt and concrete, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, September 2026

Last scene from this location, just to the left of the pile of asphalt, you see some concrete dividers that sit next to the adjacent sidewalk, and a concrete cube. I applied a series of interlocking washes first, and then over-painted a variety of textural effect to create the wild growth, keeping the colours in the orange-tint, brown, yellow, chartreuse and olive range.  

Teal PJD concrete blocks, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, September 2026