Highlights From Memory (August 2023 – ) As a city-dweller seeking solace, having a place to connect, to reflect and feel grounded becomes not just a desire, but a necessity. For me, that place is within Toronto’s wooded trails, forests and parks.  Inspired by the myriad of sunsets, dappled light, and forest shadows within these city sanctuaries, the oil paintings in Highlights from memory capture cherished moments in Marie Curtis Park and along Etobicoke Creek. On canvas, these works explore the inherent vitality of nature and its rejuvenating power within our built environment. Through a sensitive portrayal of light and form, I am reminded of the essential connection between humanity and the nature, offering moments of quiet contemplation amidst urban life.

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Sunset over Etobicoke Creek – May 2025

From May 28 to June 8, 2025, my latest series of works will be on display at Gallery 1313. The exhibition, titled “Highlights from Memory,” showcases cherished locales within Marie Curtis Park and Etobicoke Creek. The works on canvas delve into themes of nature’s inherent vitality, the underlying energy of life, and the restorative processes found within these urban oases. The ever-shifting sunsets, the interplay of sunlight and dense foliage, and the dynamic patterns of shadows observed on the forest floor are key elements that fuel my artistic vision.

This body of work invites viewers to consider the importance of natural spaces within an urban context and to reflect on the rejuvenating power of the environment.

Exhibition Dates: May 28-June 8, 2025
Reception: May 29, 6:30pm.

Gallery 1313
1313 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON
Phone: 416-536-6778

Hours:
Wednesday –Saturday, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Entry is free.
For more info visit Gallery 1313.

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Empty spaces (Marie Curtis Park looking southwest) – Aug 2020

I’ve posted my video documenting my painting session of the work titled, Empty Spaces (Marie Curtis Park looking southwest). You can watch the video on my blog.

This work is part of the The View From Here series.

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This painting was created sometime last year in 2020, during the first pandemic lock-down due to the COVID-19 virus. So the piece and what I was feeling during its creation was affected by the experience at that time. The scene is based on my memory of previous visits to the park over the years, sketches and photographs. As I look back on this painting, I wonder how I will view this and my other works created during this time 10, or maybe 20 years later.

Like many others, I feel, that everything created during the pandemic, will be more reflective, perhaps taking on an intimate, emotional, or societal view as we continue to experience the pandemic’s affects.

In my work, I try to find inspiration in my immediate surroundings – in Nature, or family, or friends. I’m interested in communicating a sense of place, a time of day, or a feeling such as the warmth of a sunset. Establishing a connection with the viewer. And this painting is no different in that aspect.

This painting is part of a larger series, depicting various scenes of Marie Curtis Park, which is located in Toronto (Canada).  Marie Curtis Park is nestled in the city’s west-end, on Lake Ontario. The park has an abundance of small wildlife and native plants. It has a beach, it’s also connected to bike and walking trails and I find it’s a nice spot for viewing migratory birds.

To see the other paintings in this series take a look at The View From here.

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Happy New Year!  2021 and 2022 has been quite a ride as due to the pandemic, COVID variants and recurring lockdowns. Many are feeling the strain, there is general unrest and the cracks in our society are more apparent than ever. One can only hope, that we’ll come out on the other side stronger, wiser and united on a positive front.

I’ve started a new series of paintings titled: The View From Here. This body of work depicts various scenes from inside Marie Curtis Park (Toronto, Canada). The works for me are considered mindful meditations, a series of personal moments where I felt connected to Nature.

You can view the  paintings here.
Also take a look at my preliminary studies on paper in the: From the sketchbook series.

New paintings will be added to this series throughout the year. Also, I have few ideas in the works for my art practice, so be sure to check back for updates.

Until then, be well, please take care of yourself and your loved ones. Just know the world is a brighter place with you in it.

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There’s a place in Toronto that I love to visit. It’s home to various local wildlife and is a waypoint for migratory birds. The trees are densely packed and the light that bounces off their leaves casts a kaleidoscope of shadows on the forest floor. As I look north, south, east and west, it is here that I feel grounded, deep in thought and entranced by the sunlight.

The View From Here (June 2020 – November 2022) is a growing series of paintings which depicts the surrounding scenes viewed from some of my favourite spots inside Marie Curtis Park.

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