Capturing the Magic and Romance of a Rainy Chicago Night

I'm always inspired by the beauty and energy of cities. Each on is different and can be represented by diffent music, movements, forms and colours. For this small of Chicago, I wanted to capture the magic of the city at night in the rain. Whenever I visit, I am particularly drawn to the unique architecture of Chicago. It is renowned for its stunning skyscrapers and iconic buildings. I love it when it rains.

There is a romance one can have walking downtown in the rain. I used a combination of blues and yellows, and metallic paints added a touch of shimmer and sparkle; the glittering lights reflecting off the wet pavement. I also added little hints of pink to the painting. This hint of color helps to lighten the mood, added a playful element and adds a reminder that there is always a silver lining.

Breaking Away from Detailed Geometric Paintings

As an artist, I know the value of experimentation. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and trying new things can lead to exciting discoveries and breakthroughs in your art. This is why I recently decided to challenge myself by breaking away from my detailed geometric painting style and trying a more loose approach.

My detailed geometric paintings are notoriously time-consuming, with no real shortcuts. In 2018, I reached a new level of detailing with my painting 'Paris at Midnight.' While I was proud of the finished work, I felt that my style was becoming too rigid and wanted to break away from it.

For my latest experiment, a painting of Montreal, I decided to give myself only an hour to see what I could produce if I worked quickly and didn't treat the surface or map too preciously. I tried not to get bogged down in the details and instead focused on the bigger picture - a snowy Montreal. I also used oil pastels for the line work and the colour palette is a pastel nod to the city’s NHL hockey team.

Capital Cities: Nauru

Located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, Nauru is a small island country with a population of around 11,000 people. It is the smallest republic in the world and one of the least visited countries, with fewer than 200 tourists annually. Nauru was originally known as "Pleasant Island," but the name was changed in 1968 when the country gained independence from Australia. Despite its name, the island has a troubled history due to its phosphate mining industry, which has had a significant impact on the environment. In fact, the island was once covered in dense vegetation, but most of the trees have been cut down for exporting phosphate.

Nauru National Flag

Despite its small size, Nauru has a few interesting quirks. For instance, it is the only country in the world without an official capital city. It is also home to the highest obesity rate in the world, with over 90% of the population classified as obese. Nauru is located just south of the equator and has a tropical climate. The official language of the country is Nauruan, a distinct Micronesian language, but English is also widely spoken. The currency used in Nauru is the Australian dollar.

New Work: BERMUDA

Bermuda is a group of 181 islands in the North Atlantic and offers several unique geological features. The Bermuda Triangle is an area with unexplained ship and plane disappearances, but its existence is subject to scientific skepticism. The island is also known for its extensive network of submerged caves, some of which are accessible to divers. Crystal Caves, a pair of limestone caves filled with crystal-clear underground pools, stalactites, and stalagmites that have formed over thousands of years, is a popular tourist attraction. The Bermuda Pedestal, a large, flat-topped plateau that rises about 3,000 meters above the surrounding seafloor, is thought to have formed during the Mesozoic Era. Finally, Bermuda's pink-sand beaches are created by tiny red organisms called foraminifera that live in the coral reefs surrounding the islands. These geological and geographic features make Bermuda a unique destination for both tourists and scientists.

Capital Cities: Canberra

Canberra, the capital city of Australia, is known for its unique design and urban planning. The city was designed by American architect Walter Burley Griffin in 1912, who based his plan on the principles of the Garden City movement, which aimed to create a city that was harmonious with the natural environment and had a high quality of life for its residents. Griffin's design for Canberra included two main axes, the "axes of symmetry," which intersect at the center of the city and feature the city's main landmarks and institutions, such as Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial.

In addition to its wide streets, green spaces, and parklands, which make up about 50% of the city's area, Canberra is also home to many government buildings and institutions, reflecting its role as the national capital. The city is home to Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia, and the High Court of Australia, among other landmarks and institutions. There are over 50 parks and reserves in the city, including the Australian National Botanic Gardens, which has over 50,000 plants from around the world.

Canberra is the eighth-largest city in Australia and has a population of about 400,000 people. It was chosen as the capital in 1908 due to its central location between Sydney and Melbourne. The city has a Mediterranean-style climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. It is home to several universities, including the Australian National University, and is known for its sporting events, such as the Australian Football League (AFL) and the National Rugby League (NRL). The city has a strong arts and cultural scene, with galleries, theaters, and festivals throughout the year, and a diverse population of people from over 180 different countries.

New Work: THE VILLAGE FANCIES

In the creative world, inspiration can come from anywhere and strike at any time. It can be found in the most unexpected places and often leads to a unique departure from one's usual artistic style. Such was the case for me back in March when I experimented with paint markers in my sketchbook and created brightly colored Easter egg designs.

Initially, I did not give much thought to these designs, but I found myself returning to the page and thinking about what I could do with them. This week, I sat down and cranked out something new, taking a small departure from my regular work. The resulting piece, which I titled "The Village Fancies," speaks to my bright and cheery aesthetic.

Sketchbook drawing.
March 2022

The name of this piece is derived from a box of brightly colored fancy chocolates that I had the pleasure of experiencing during my visit to Paris earlier this year. The shapes in my design remind me of the rich diversity that makes up Toronto's LGBTQ community. The subtle value shift in the background of the piece also evokes memories of the neon and back-lit signs that shine on the street as the sun sets in the summer.

As an artist, I am always exploring new ideas and experimenting with different mediums. I do not know if I will create more pieces like "The Village Fancies," but I am glad that I took the time to step out of my comfort zone and create something unique.

Dans l'atelier... Los Angeles

As the Toronto weather gets cooler, I’m dreaming of warmer places. I started on a 4x5ft painting of Los Angeles which features of its amazing and unique neighbourhoods and some of the surrounding cities. IT even include Catalina Island, and essential stop on any visit to the City of Angels.

New Work: York University Glendon Campus

Je suis heureux de partager cette peinture du campus Glendon de l'Université York. Inspiré par les couleurs de l’institution, l'architecture et l'environnement naturel, ce tableau représente l'ensemble du campus incluant les installations académiques modernes et historiques, les résidences étudiantes, et ce quartier au cœur de Toronto. Peut-être remarquerez-vous le tableau installé au manoir Glendon, lors d’une prochaine visite.

I am happy to share the completion of this painting of York University’s Glendon Campus. Inspired by the school colours, architecture and natural surroundings, it depicts the entire campus including the academic, historic, services and student residences as well as the surrounding North York neighbourhood. Perhaps you’ll spot it in Glendon Hall on your next visit.

New Work: BANBRIDGE

I have been out and about this summer and have made little time for studio work. I did manage to do a few small works, including this gouache painting of Banbridge, Northern Ireland. From this I created at graphic version that is available in the shop.

If you are interested in getting a city painting done for yourself or as a gift for someone special, send me a commission request.

New Work: CANBERRA

Here’s another painting in the ongoing series of capital cities that I started a few years ago. Limited edition prints are available here. If you are looking for something bright and cheery for your home, click on one of the images below to see a full section available items.

If you are interested an original city painting, please complete a commission form here and I’ll happily get back to you with a proposed map and custom colour palette.