A Toronto Intermission

On By ResaIn Parking Lots58 Comments

Excerpts from “toronto”-by Chinkok Tan(1942-2025)

Found this installation art in an outdoor parking lot. The images & “words” are from a rare book. Only 58 copies were ever made. They reside in private collections and rare book libraries.

“toronto (canada) is a place like no other place, for all i know”

Chinkok Tan’s drawings of streetscapes and buildings are visual love letters, from his early years. He arrived in Toronto from Malaysia on December 4, 1967, with $129.00.

"first,
i felt the cold
the cold i had never felt before

the wind
icy cold wind
biting, penetrating,
- going through me like i was nothing."

Tan had come to Toronto to attend the Ontario College of Art (OCA – now OCAD).

"the y.m.c.a. i was told
is cheap.
it cost four bucks a night
my room was small, cell like,

*
it was my fortune on the second day
to meet the cleaning lady,

*
out of loneliness i spoke to her,
my problem became hers,
she understood."

Tan found a job as a bus-boy in a restaurant on Bay Street. For 2 years he worked nights, part time.

*
"time old buildings expressing nostalgic past,
residential streets within the city,
people actually make their home in downtown
toronto - the city is for the people!"

He turned these drawings into a book in 1973. It is now a time capsule of Toronto in transition.

"recently, the city has changed because of the
fantastic building boom
that will soon turn toronto into a city
none of us know."

Pics taken by Resa – August 13, 2026

Baldwin Street – near the Ontario College of Art & Design

Toronto, Canada

❦ As this post was ready to go, and I am swamped with “to do’s”; I decided to post it now. The Underpass “Scattered Order III” will resume after a brief intermission. ❦

Scattered Order – II

On By ResaIn Underpasses128 Comments

Back to the Beginning

The artist EGR has been painting faces around town since before I discovered street art.

So, it is befitting that her art begins the underpass gallery. The cement wall starts out about 2′ high, then grows to better than 6′.

At the skateboarder, it’s about 4′ high. For this mural she mentored several students from the Bishop Morrocco secondary school arts program.

The skateboarder segues into a gorgeous tropical scene, that is about 5′ high.

This piece is not signed. However, as it is a city project, the credits should appear on the website, eventually.

I would think the 2 artist(s) first seen in the pic below, standing at a blank wall are beginning to paint this mural. Notice the cans of oranges and pinks on the stand.

The artist in the cap at the next wall (face unseen) is painting the image below. It is titled –

ningodwaaswi (niizh) : 6(2)

Note the bird circled on the left. The angled shape circled on the right are the beginnings of the bird.

The artist, Bradley J. Reinhardt’s (bjr_artist) mother was Ojibwe. His father was white. A quote from his instagram page.

"This painting reflects the impact of the Indian Act, specifically the Second Generation Cut-Off. I am registered under section 6(2), meaning I cannot pass status to my children unless their other parent has status. In the painting, the bear represents me and the 2 cubs represent my sons. The river symbolizes the Indian Act, a system that divides families and determines legal identity.  The Orange and blue areas represent the loss of language, culture, and identity caused by colonization and residential schools. Although my sons cannot receive status under the law, they will grow up learning Ojibwe values, culture and teachings. My hope is that one day the Indian Act will change so families like mine are no longer divided by legislation."

A few over …

… is this kool kid by Blackburn; chillin’ under the clouds catching all the art action.

Even further along, as you come out of dark areas of the underpass, is this 4-faced beauty. I love it.

As we enter one of the dark areas, (note the light that helps keep it safe) are 2 beguiling pieces; something for everyone.

Below is Opola Karim painting her wonderful image of Toronto.

TADA!

Back into the light of day!

I met Getso a few years back when he was part of a painting party in the alley behind me. Part of that alley painting party was Nick Sweetman. Nick is one of my faves and has a category link on my sidebar.

Pics taken by Resa – July 23 & 26, 2026

Toronto, Canada

The artists in order of appearance:

TBD

See you in awhile for Part 3!

Scattered Order – 1

On By ResaIn Underpasses135 Comments

39 new works of art were painted on the way into, out of and inside an underpass near me.

First, The Cat

The tour begins just before we go under the rail bridge, about 1/3 of the way from the start.

This was my second trip to the city sponsored site. 3 days earlier I was privy to seeing all the artists painting.

On the first day, a security person informed me that there would be a clear coat going over all the art. It was a must to return before that happened.

On my second visit all paintings were done. Except on each side of the cat were 2 artists touching up their art.

The artist in the camo shorts is SKAM, a Toronto street art star. I was beside myself when I found out who he was.

The artist still painting is … I am so sorry, I forgot his name.

I thanked him a lot for his art and the time he spent with me.

I am humiliated. Hopefully I will be able to update this one day. His art is above.

Suddenly, my phone camera went dark

SKAM stepped in when he saw me near tears.

He explained the situation, and gave me a lesson re: some of the features of the camera, while taking the pic to the right.

On the way to the cat, close to the beginning of the gallery are Colin Tea & Jim Bravo painting. I know Jim, but did not want to disturb him.

Colin Tea’s painting was the 4th one from the start.

I wondered if Violet was a daughter or niece?

Jim’s painting was the fifth along the wall.

Above, Jim’s painting is one of his best, imo.

This one caught my breath. It looked like metal in real life.

Drippin-Soul’s art is always stunning, special. It was a sharp contrast to the Old Hues painting on its right.

I’ve been collecting murals by Old Hues for a couple of years now. This is the first one I’ve posted. I adore these dogs.

All of Old Hues’ murals have a classic oil on canvas look.

Pics taken by Resa – July 23 & 26, 2026

Toronto, Canada

The Artists in order of appearance:

Forgotten name artist
PS: I started with the cat because I am in love with them.

Jesse Mockrin 2 – Witchy Women

On By ResaIn Jesse Mockrin98 Comments

In Botanicals

Women healers practiced medicine for thousands of years.

Old Magic (2025) Oil on Linen

“In the late Middle Ages (1300-1500 CE), these practices were criminalized, and women who worked with plant medicine were rebranded as witches.“

Witches became an archetype for story telling.

Forbidden Fruit (2025) Oil on Linen

“In her recent paintings of witchy women, Mockrin depicts lush, fertile landscapes replete with plants women used to promote menstrual health, sexual health, and for abortion.”

Botanicals included mandrake, mugwort, fennel and dittany.

In Myth

DAPHNE

Daphne is a river nymph from ancient Greek Mythology.

She was the daughter of the river god Peneus.

Daphne “took a vow of chastity and rejected all romantic advances toward her.

The god Apollo fell in love with the river nymph, and when she rejected him, he attempted to rape her.

Daphne ran to the banks of her father’s river, begging him for help.

Intending to protect his daughter from Apollo’s violence, Peneus transformed her forever into a laurel tree.“

I’m intrigued by how Mockrin depicts Daphne as 3 different faces.

A Story told this many times becomes a forest (2024) Triptych – Oil on Linen

Turns out it is 3 stages of transforming – right to left. It comes originally from a poem by Sophia Stid (2020) DAPHNE PURSUED BY APOLLO.

The polestar of Mockrin’s painting is Daphne’s face. Apollo is banished to the outside of the frame.

SYRINX

A Greek and Roman myth, it resembles the tale of Daphne.

Syrinx (2018) Oil on Canvas

“Srynx ran from the satyr Pan, who tried to rape her.

As she approached the shore of a river, she called out to her river nymph sisters for help.

They transformed her into a crop of reeds, which Pan cut to fashion a flute from her.

Even the invention of wind instruments was used to justify sexual violence in the ancient world”.

Sexual violence and even the invention of wind instruments…? I didn’t find further info re; that statement, but…

Oil on canvas – 1722/24

I did stumble upon a painting of Pan chasing Srynx, by – Jean-François de Troy. The free download (& more info) is from the Getty Museum. Click Srynx on the left to view the page.

Could not resist a compare image of Jesse Mockrin’s vision, with Jean-François de Troy’s.

Pics taken by Resa – May 14, 2024

Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada

Source: Getty Images – Flag Art Foundation & Art Gallery of Ontario – “Bold italics in quotes are from the plaquards by the paintings”.

The Fairie Queene, Judith & a Bolognese Elite

On By ResaIn Making Her Mark148 Comments

Lady Diana Beauclerk

British (1735 – 1808)

This watercolour is an illustration for Canto XII, verses 30-33, from The Fairie Queen: written by Edmund Spencer.

Circa 1781- Watercolour on paper

Diana Beauclerk was the daughter of the 3rd Duke of Marlborough and Lady Diana Spencer (Lady-in-Waiting to Queen Charlotte, 1761)

A scandalous figure, she left her husband.

She then had a clandestine affair with Topham Beauclerk, had an illegitimate child, divorced and remarried. Diana wound up having to earn a living with her artistic abilities.

An amateur artist, she was touted as painting in crayons. She worked as an illustrator, did admirable caricatures and created ceramic designs; notably for Wedgewood.

Click on poetry to read it more clearly.

The Fairie Queen is available to download for free from the Project Gutenburg.

Fede Galiza

Italian – (1578 – 1630)

Judith with the Head of Holofernes – (1596) Oil on canvas

Fede’s father, Nunzio Galizia was a miniature portraitist who taught his daughter. By the age of 12 she was an accomplished artist.

Although she gained prominence in her lifetime, she did not acquire commissions, as her male counterparts did. Largely forgotten, she was rediscovered in the early 20th century.

In her lifetime, Galizia painted at least forty-four still lifes, some of which have been sold for millions. These represent about two thirds of her work. She is credited with having helped define early 17th century still life painting

The biblical tale of Judith is possibly the most feminist in art history.

A beautiful Jewish widow, she went with her faithful maid to the Assyrian enemy general Holofernes tent, and seduced him.

This gained his trust, and she was allowed into his tent freely, thereafter.

One night as he slept drunkenly, Judith decapitated him. She brought his head back to her timorous countrymen.

“Fede Galizia portrayed a calm, bejewelled Judith, with immaculate clothes and accessories at odds with the violence of her act.”

Lavinia Fontana

Italian – (1552 – 1614)

Portrait of Costanza Alidosi – (circa 1595) Oil on canvas

“Like many Renaissance artists, Lavinia Fontana used symbolism to convey messages in her paintings.”

In this painting, the noblewoman’s lap dog (an accessory must of the times) represents her faithfulness.

The juniper blossoms peeking from her neckline represent chasteness.

“Fontana also highlighted her sitter’s status through luxurious clothing and accessories.”

Note the pearl necklace, gold embroidered dress and fabulous lace details!

She was a celebrity, who documented not just fashion of the era, but also fashion accessories.

“Alidosi was one of many Bolognese elites who commissioned their portraits from Fontana”.

Lavinia Fontana was one of the most successful female artists in Bologna, Italy. Fontana left the largest body of existing art by any woman, who was painting prior to the 1700’s. Although much of her work is recorded but lost, about 150 works remain.

This is a lovely large painting.

As one can see, it sits about 18″ from the floor, and rises high above the information placquard, which is at low eye level.

Lavinia Fontana, was recently covered in an earlier post of Making her Mark. To learn more about her, please head over to the following:

Jesus – Paintings by Women in the 16th & 17th centuries

Photos taken by ©️ Resa McConaghy – May 24, 2024

Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada

Quotes in bold italics are from the Art Gallery of Ontario display placquards.

Click on banner to go to resource links.

Two 2-Faced Faces

On By ResaIn Faces, Street Art101 Comments

With Four – 2-faced bonuses

Not the nicest hole between walls, but these faces lured me in.

With all the trash underfoot, a dumpster and strange fire escape to nowhere, It was difficult to get clear head on shots.

It seemed like it would be fun to mix and match the half faces.

More recently,

..this half face popped up in my hood.

Above is a slideshow of all the half faces on their own. I matched them all different. Now, there are 6 altogether.

Presenting – the 4 mismatched up half heads!

Pics taken by Resa – May 18, 2025 & June 12, 2026

Toronto, Canada

The artists:

Daniela Rocha (purple half head)

An Abundance of Swans

On By ResaIn Reposts

Presented by: Blue Swan

Hello! Blue Swan here, and I love all things SWAN!

I’m sure you love swans too, so head over to Robbie Cheadle’s latest post on Different Kinds of Art, and check out all the action!

Different Kinds of Art: An Abundance of Swans – A collaboration by Resa and Robbie

EXCUSE ME!

But you are no more a Blue Swan, than I am. YOU are a Blue Pigeon.

I am a Blue Swan!

Blue pigeon!

SWAN!

PIGEON!

There’s just no talking to some blue people! Check out the Abundance of Swans post, and leave your comments there!

Pics taken by Resa – May 15 & June 17, 2026

Toronto, Canada

The Artists:

Old Hues (pigeon) &

Blue Face (unknown) – This is a 14 year old face in Kensington Market, that has just been lovingly restored. It was one of my earliest posts, then was tagged and weathered over the years. I was thrilled to see it refurbished.

I AM A SWAN