Roughing It In The Bush / Sweltering In The City

On Thursday I travelled to Toronto to see Roughing It In The Bush, an exhibition of Doris McCarthy's work in honour of her 100th birthday. I went by train, subway, rapid transit and bus with two friends in order to get to Scarborough, where the Doris McCarthy Gallery is located on the Scarborough campus of the University of Toronto. It was a long trip, slightly confusing at times, but thanks to the kindness of lady Torontonions on various occasions, we managed to get to our destination.  The exhibition was well worth our travel time. As well as seeing several of her paintings, we saw displays of her sketchbooks, old photos of various painting trips and a variety of memorabilia. Then we travelled back by bus, rapid transit and subway and then walked ( in stifling heat ) to the main campus in the city where more fabulous work from her show was being exhibited. How inspiring and hope inducing it was to see work painted in her 70's and 80's and a wonderful piece completed when she was 95.
Although the city was sweltering , we were not yet finished and so we walked to The Robert's Gallery where the Canadian Society of Painters In Watercolour were having their 85th annual members juried show. I enjoyed seeing the exhibit very much both the contemporary paintings ( main floor ) and work by former members ( upstairs ), Doris McCarthy, A.J. Casson and Franklin Carmichael and others. I sat for quite a while in front of the Carmichael painting, ( my favourite Canadian watercolour artist) absorbing, studying, admiring and cooling down in the air conditioning, then went back downstairs again to admire the wonderful contemporary members' work a second time..... unbelievably fabulous!
On the train home we played our usual post exhibition game of "Which ones would you take home if you could?" and, as always, each of us had our own particular favourites.
An exhausting day in the heat, it certainly was, but an exhilerating one nonetheless!

Lily Farm

The weather was perfect and the location was too, with wonderful views and lots of shade to work in and a very friendly black lab to keep us company.

Gallery Painting Group Near Delaware

Today I finally got to use my new Eric Michael's plein air watercolour easel. It was wonderful! The GPG Tuesday paint out was on a farm on Sharon Drive. I enjoyed working with my new equipment very much and almost finished a painting until the deer flies and other flies made working impossible. ( insect repellent seems to act as a condiment for them!) I finished the painting below at home in my studio.

Tomorrow we are off to a lily farm to paint, weather permitting! Tonight I am travelling to the Sunset Arts Gallery in Grand Bend to move my paintings to a new wall. It will be nice to see all the artists again.

Breakfast At Roxy's

Roxy's, watercolour

Brian and I went to Port Stanley this morning to sketch and to have breakfast. We arrived around 8 am, walked around the center of town , took some photos and then succumbed to the heat and humidity. We went to Roxy's for a late breakfast. It was very busy, but the breakfast was worth waiting for. We then made our way home with a stop at Thomas Brothers to pick up corn, raspberries and back currents. Tomorrow I will be making black current jelly!! Yum!!

Just outside Roxy's

Port Stanley Harbour

A Day At The Gallery

Yesterday was my turn to work at Sunset Arts. Brian came with me to help hang some new work and to keep me company. We had a good day, visiting with many delightful people who came into the gallery and with Theresa Marie from next door. I took some paints with me in case I had a chance to do some work and was able to complete a small watercolour in between visitors. The weather was perfect and I saw lots of families on their way to the beach. Many boaters took advantage of the great day too and passed by on the river near the back door of the gallery.
Tomorrow, weather permitting, we are off to Port Stanley to do some painting with the Gallery Painting Group.

Beach Rocks, watercolour, 3 x 5
Painting done between visitors to the Gallery

Happy Canada Day!

Change Island , Newfoundland
acrylic on canvas, 12 x 24