I'm back from my "running away" adventure... All in all, it has been a very rough year and I have not had a break since last early summer, and with everything that has happen I have been very close to be all burned-out and my health has taken a beating from it all. So with my daughter in March break camp, my son and I took our chance to run away and boy I'm glad we did. Took the train down there and it was very relaxing not having to drive for 5 hours, stead I listen to music and tried to sketch a bit. However, the sketching part had to be put on hold due to way too bumpy ride, but it was fine, I got to catch up on some much needed sleep.
Day one I went out down town on my own, walked everywhere until my feet fell off. I went to the Art Gallery, Textile museum of Canada, checked out a few art supply stores, two small galleries and a handful of other places {antique stores and places}. Art Gallery fantastic and I really have to go back, the textile museum however was not as good. I did like the special exhibition about Marimekko {a Finnish textile designer company, love their fabrics} but the rest of the museum was a huge disappointment to me.
Day two I went downtown again with my son and we went first to R.O.M {Royal Ontario Museum}
Great museum and they have a lot on display, however it was March break so it was packed with pretty much everyone from all corners of the planet. And again, I really have to go back there too when its a bit calmer times.
After the museum we walked around and then took the subway down and again waked more to the Distillery district, small area but amazing in the fact that it was all falling apart a few years back, and a team brought it back to life and its all full of artsy things, galleries, restaurants, theaters and shops and not to mention all the great old factory buildings and cobble stone streets.
Didn't sketch any there, but took a lot of pictures in stead... and yes yet again, a place I have to revisit : )
Sketches above and below are from when I walked around and looked at old buildings {along Dundas W, China Town and Queen St W). One thing I have noticed with Toronto, is that there is still a lot more of the older buildings left than here in Ottawa. Some {well a good handful of them} look like they're in a serious need of TLC}, but a lot of it is also part of the charm with the city, there is a great mixture of the old and the new. And there is a ton of places that are very much artsy, different and unique. So between looking in shops and walking along the streets, I tried to sketch some roof tops and other things I found interesting. With my luck three of my favourite ink pens all died all at once, so I didn't get much done.
Day three and four was spent with Mr B, our son and later with family we haven't seen in a while, we drove out to Kleinburg to visit McMichael Gallery. Its all Canadian art and they have a wonderful selection of art from the famous Group of Seven artists. The whole place is beautiful and if you ever are in the Toronto area you have to visit that place, will post more about that next time.
I really enjoyed this trip and it was totally what I needed, a break, time to breath and relax... I love walking and do that for hours in end and I got to do that, sketch, do photography and enjoy things that tickle me pink and drool to no end {antiques, art supplies, fabrics and art to name a few}.
I feel like I found new energy and most of all inspiration for things to come.
Here is few of the things I just could not live without {Mr B rolling his eyes}... pretty silly eh, tape and paper straws, but never less they look like bark and birch trees to boot so there. The washi tape is for what ever I can come up with to stick it on too, just never know when you need some pretty tape.
And below is some art supplies I got, more sketch paper. Water colour paper I never used before so I want to test it out {Fluid water colour paper, easy-block}, got more Gesso as it was on sale... Would have bought more of it, but 1000 ml is heavy to log around all over town. And then I got two Koi water brushes {cant find them here in Ottawa}, thought this would be easier to use rather than having jars of water with me {lighter}, but I cant say I like them too much. A small water colour travel case with W&N half pans and tell you the truth, I hate them. Yes case is light and fits in my purse with no problems, but I think its safe to say I'm a Schmincke snob. But it will have to do for my walking around town paints and just maybe I will like them much better if I don't use the water brushes with it.
And I bought small jar of Bleed proof white water colour by luma, never used it before so I was curious. Have anyone of you ever used it? How do you like it and what and how do you use it?
Any hooo, so that was my walk-about down town Toronto, and now I'm back and weather is warming up and spring should not be far to long away now {fingers crossed}, soon I can open up my studio space and get down working on it so I can finally start painting. Cant wait!
Now I have to go through all my pictures I took down there, then draw and relax tonight... Because tomorrow both kids are back from camp and travels, looking forward to see them {miss them very much} and then all crazy running around and trying to catch my breath again will start : )
Happy March!!!
