Since discovering Holly and her poetry, years ago, I keep finding her & her poems painted on walls, in alleys, on garage doors, in the market and Graffiti Alley.
This bleak alley went on for a mile, at least. Suddenly … beauty, like a Holly poem.
"Don't tell me what the poets are doing
Those Himalayas of the mind
Don't tell me what the poets been doing
In the long grasses over time"
But my heart can thank Holly, and all the wonderful poets I have found on WP.
“She called herself Lil, but everyone knew her as Nancy”
Hi, Blue Dude Raccoon here, with an Alley Gallery tale that will tune you in and turn you on!
It all began last summer when Nancy (great, great, great, great, great & about 55 more greats) granddaughter of Rocky Raccoon began wandering the alleys taking pics of humans on garage doors.
Teagan R. Geneviene via Night Cafe
Made aware of this, kits in their late teens rebelled. They struck out into the alley spraying graffiti over the images of humans,
and churning up general mayhem.
Their mom’s, dressed in their finest matching period gowns, discussed the issue over tea.
Teagan R. Geneviene via Night Cafe
They actually thought of asking Gideon Bibbel to help. He was the largest scariest raccoon ever. He was so big he lived in an abandoned warehouse, and took up all the space.
Unfortunately, he terrified the wee tiny ones, so they decided against it.
One night after a gig, the Jazz Racs, a local raccoon jazz band who played for humans, parked their car in an alley, after a gig.
Teagan R. Geneviene via Night Cafe
The kits spent half the night spray painting the car, while everyone slept.
Something had to be done! The mom’s decided to consult Big Purple, the wise old leader of the Trash Can Clan.
Simple he said. The Kits need to be Jazzed Up. They need to channel their emotions creatively.
Teagan R. Geneviene via Night Cafe
So, after making the Kits clean the paint off of the car, they all head down to the Jazz Cafe.
The Kits were wowed!
The Kits all decided to learn to play instruments, and start a band.
A couple of months later (Raccoons learn very quickly) they played their first gig,
… and their happy mom’s showed up to dance.
Teagan R. Geneviene via Night Cafe
Pics taken by Resa – 2024-2026
Toronto, Canada
The Artists:
For anyone who hasn’t guessed, I began this tale with inspiration from The song below.
AI was not used in the writing of this post.
Post Script:
Toronto is known as the "Raccoon Capitol", which is why there is so much raccoon street art in the city.
When Teagan, a most creative & whimsical writer, included the image of Raccoons having tea in gowns in a post, I got quite a chuckle out it. So I asked Teagan if I could include it in my annual raccoon street art post. Not only did she say yes, but out of the blue, in kind & generous spirit, Teagan did up more raccoon whimsy and sent it to me.
April Showers paints her beauties in the worst spots.
This one was at a truck rental parking place. Yes, I almost got stuck squeezing through.
Of all the graf tagged onto the wall, all I wanted was the April Showers face. The best I could do in a 2 foot slot was some demented up angles and truck window reflections.
And now, I am squeezing through from here, until middle/late April. This is my last post until then.
But, I will be visiting when I can.
Not sure who this artist is.
It’s a fine mess.
It’s because I got involved in an ART SHOW. YAY!
So, like April Showers, I’ll be sharing my beauties, but in a nice place.
But if I could, I would have a fashion show in an alley filled with graffiti.
Jennifer models VELVET TANGO
There’s nothing like finding beauty in the roughest places; like Velvet Tango, the Art Gown I made for Holly House of Heart in a tagged up alley.
April Showers will bring art & flowers, and I’ll have lots to share with you!
Of the plethora, I’m mostly super excited to share the show of Paul McCartney’s amateur pics from 1963-64.
Our blog pal MATT is going to be on board for that!
There’s pics Paul took of the other Beatles, of America through the limo & train windows and some colour shots from Miami.
The show was SPLASHTACULAR!
There were also a few old professional promo shots.
There had been some cool alley finds on this hot day, but not a real prize.
Then I turned into a shady alley, sweet smelling and comforting.
It was a Healing Garden.
Turns out this alley is one of 2 Healing Gardens. A concept designed by artist Monica Wickeler & Indigenous artist Nyle Miigizi, the alley is filled with native plants and healing medicines. The Anishinaabe Nation’s story of the gift of Jewelweed was handed down to Nyle from his grandmother, Verna Patronella Johnston.
Mural artist Gosia Komorski was hired to paint.
Healing… we can all use some right now.
Best to be whole and positive, as we go into what seems will be a hectic new year.
Now it’s winter, but I fully intend to find the other Healing Garden, in late spring when the herbs are happening.
Pics taken by Resa – August 30, 2024
Toronto, Canada
Mural Artist:
If you click on the document below, you can read about the project. Pardon for the sloppy shot!
This song is not about a Healing Garden, but it feels like one. (Yes, the image is moving!)
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