I started skateboarding in 1975. There were no skateparks then, only streets and parking lots. I don't skate much anymore, except to get to work, and occasionally session one of the great local parks, like "The Hoof", Vanderhoof, here in Toronto. To commemorate these local parks, I began painting plein air images on the bottoms of used skateboards. Below is Vanderhoof park. I painted in the lettering at home before venturing out to do the landscape, so it was tricky working out the composition and not tightening up around the letters. Click to enlarge.

Welcome. Find below a random collection of plein air paintings from Toronto, excepting the harbour scene, which was done in Port Colborne. I hope you enjoy them. Sold

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In anticipation of the coming Junction Arts Festival http://www.junctionartsfest.com/ , I'll post some plein air images from the Junction and nearby area. I'll be participating in the juried exhibition, so if you're in Toronto on September 9-13, please drop by. I hope you enjoy.

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This is a truck used in the Caribana Parade, still laden with beautiful costumes. Back to the warehouse!

Gas stations. I love gas stations. Why? I don't know.
In the first one, the gentleman in the red sweater and black hat showed up about an hour into the painting, and proceeded to tear the small shed down. I worked like a maniac to get the information down. By the time I'd finished the painting he and the the shed were gone. SOLD

This Esso station closed some time ago. Another business, car detailing or something, occupied the building for a short time and erected the neon yellow signs. They vacated and now it's empty again.

Nocturne Gallery

Hello, and welcome. In an effort to post a backlog of my work I have opted to present them in small galleries. These are all nocturnes, all plein air. After experimenting with a few lights I have come to rely on a bicycle lamp attached to my head, in tandem with a double-headed lamp designed for musicians reading sheetmusic in an orchestra pit. The latter clamps to my easel but is a tad bluish in tone to be used on its own. The bicycle lamp is very white, and moves with my vision, from panel to palette, without intruding on the scene before me.

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This painting was done in Montreal and shows the effect of relying on only the orchestra pit light. My eyes compensated for the blue tint by casting an orange glow over everything. A bit of a shock when I saw the picture in natural light! In the lower centre there's a cat loitering beneath a birdhouse. SOLD

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Welcome to my humble domain. All paintings are plein air unless otherwise noted.
Here's a winter themed gallery. I hope you enjoy.

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