Abstraction in Five

I saw this colorful strip, as I was being driven somewhere.

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When I returned on foot, I found 5 abstracts by the tracks.

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The sidewalk was thin, the traffic heavy and fast. The sun reflected off the paint to blind me.

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I didn’t get hit by a car, and in spite of sun blindness, I managed to capture all 5 panels.

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I couldn’t get any further back, and the art was somewhat elevated.

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Just feeling the traffic whizzing by made me dizzy.

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At first it was all just a smear of colours. Then I saw Jimi Hendrix playing his guitar in the purple haze of heaven.

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Now, I see other things, but it’s too, late to shoot the close ups.

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You can see, in the pic below and other pics, the sun reflected in the painting.

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The sun is so fabulous, I think it adds to my shots.

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Sun, sun, sun, here it comes”

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I thought this face was a crab or some kind of sea creature, until I got home and looked at my pics.

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I’m not sure what else I missed? If you see something, tell me!

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This fabulous art experience was a mere 1 hour walk from my home, & 1 hour back.

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Nothing gets me to walk further than the anticipation of finding street art.

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Pics taken by Resa – February 18 , 2017

Toronto, Canada

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I did see what appeared to be some kind of credit:

PASYSTEM

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Mike Johnston – Artist

It is my glory to have received a guest submission from the artist, Mike Johnston.

Artist: Mike Johnston - Photo © Mike Johnston
Artist: Mike Johnston – Photo © Mike Johnston

The first 6 pieces of art shown in this article were all painted during the summer of 2016 in Winnipeg. 

Artist: Mike Johnston - Photo © Mike Johnston
Artist: Mike Johnston – Photo © Mike Johnston

 I asked Mike to tell me a bit about himself.

 Mike:  “Ive been a street artist in the city for 18 plus years, and have been tattooing for the past 12 years, dedicated to the craft. Now, I’m realizing I have more to accomplish with my art, and am hitting the streets hard with work and coming out of hibernation.”
Artist: Mike Johnston - Photo © Mike Johnston
Artist: Mike Johnston – Photo © Mike Johnston

I, for one, am thrilled Mike has come out of hibernation. His work is eye-catching, totally gorgeous and the details are mesmerizing.

Artist: Mike Johnston - Photo © Mike Johnston
Artist: Mike Johnston – Photo © Mike Johnston

I asked Mike about this very interesting work of art, shown in the above photo, and next 2 shots.

Artist: Mike Johnston - Photo © Mike Johnston

Artist: Mike Johnston – Photo © Mike Johnston

Mike:The mural with the panels was a painting i put up at a recent art show. The blank spaces are the paintings that came from the installation.”

I love it!

Artist: Mike Johnston - Photo © Mike Johnston
Artist: Mike Johnston – Photo © Mike Johnston

The following shots are some earlier examples of Mike’s work.

Artist: Mike Johnston - Photo © Mike Johnston
Artist: Mike Johnston – Photo © Mike Johnston
Artist: Mike Johnston - Photo © Mike Johnston
Artist: Mike Johnston – Photo © Mike Johnston

 

Artist: Mike Johnston - Photo © Mike Johnston.
Artist: Mike Johnston – Photo © Mike Johnston

You can visit Mike on his Website    www.murdersnest.com  .. where, if you’re in need of some gorgeous art on your building or on your body, he has a Contact Page.

Artist: Mike Johnston - Photo © Mike Johnston
Artist: Mike Johnston – Photo © Mike Johnston

Below, is Lester. This was one of the very first pieces of Street Art I ever encountered in Winnipeg. However, Lester was seriously obscured by industrial trash bins. Two years later, I returned, only to find a good portion of this amazing work had eroded due to the harsh Winnipeg Winters.

Mike, thank you for this pic!

Artist: Mike Johnston - Photo © Mike Johnston
Artist: Mike Johnston – Photo © Mike Johnston

All art in this post is by Mike Johnston.

All photos are © Mike Johnston & all rights are reserved.

You can also see Mike’s Art On FaceBook

Mike Johnston at work - Photo ©
Mike Johnston at work

Mike is also represented in The Murals of Winnipeg  Just use the search engine to find him.

These Eyes & Body Sugar are 2 previous posts on GLaM that show early bits of Mike’s work.

Mike, thank you x a million for your wonderful art, and for allowing me this feature on my blog. I am honored.

⭐ ❤ ⭐

Whiskey Music

On the side of a bar on Rue Archibald…

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Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe

…is this fab mural that looks like Jack Daniels paid for.

Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe
Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe

I don’t drink the big “W”, but I sure listen to music.

Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe
Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe

Blow up the above pic, & see the biggest shot I was able to take. That was due to a very narrow sidewalk, and very heavy traffic.

Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe
Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe
Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe
Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe
Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe
Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe

Special thanks to Sherrie for getting me to this mural on my last day in Winnipeg!

Pics taken by Resa – November 1, 2016

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

The Murals of Winnipeg

Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe
Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe

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Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe
Artist(s): Sarah Collard (Collard Creations), Sonja Wiebe, Manny Wiebe

Beauty & the Bad Boy

This was one of many unexpected finds in the Bloor W. area.

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I love the b&w white chalk on slate feel.

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He’s hideous…. a devil!

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Why are bad boys so exciting?

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The above shot blows up beautifully, and has one of the filters my Google Photos features.

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Pics taken by Resa – January 2, 2017

Toronto, Canada

The Artist(s)

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The signature was taken from two sides of a wood fence.

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The below panorama shot blows up nicely.

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Space Cowboy

Very unique, off College near Ossington…

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…is this mural that has me singing an old rock tune in my head.

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In between bouts of Space Cowboy, I can hear the theme from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

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The pic below blows up real good.

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spcb-1Below, another good blower-upper.

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Then there was this fish at the end of the Space Cowboys. Turns out it’s in a cowboy head. Unique!

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Pics taken by Resa, December 17, 2016

Toronto, Canada

The Artist:

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A Women’s Parliament

On January 28, 1914, Nellie McClung starred as Manitoba’s suspender snapping and cigar smoking Premier, in a mock parliament at the Walker Theater in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen
Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen

This is Post two of “Nellie week” presented by Christy Birmingham of When Women Inspire & I.

The previous day, January 27, 1914, Nellie and many women of the Political Equality League met with Premier Roblin and the legislative body to request the vote for women.

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Artist: Mandy van Lueewen

Premier Roblin condescended. He said, “I believe woman suffrage would break up the home and send women to mix up in political meetings.”

Artist: Mandy van Lueewen
Artist: Mandy van Lueewen

This prompted a guerilla “mock parliament” wherein women had the vote, but not men. It was added to that night’s showing of  How They Won The Vote“, a play originally produced in London. It was adapted to fit Winnipeg in 1914.

Artist: Mandy van Lueewen
Artist: Mandy van Lueewen

Vis-a-vis  this amazing mural in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Christy and I take a look at the mock parliament that changed women’s voting rights of yesterday into women’s voting rights of today, in Canada.

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Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen

It featured: Nellie as  a female Premier Roblin, and her daughter Florence,  as a parliamentary page. As well, it showcased 2 other mother and daughter pairs.

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Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen

There was Harriet Walker (Minister of Public Works) and her daughter Ruth (a parliamentary page). I am not sure which image is Mrs. Walker.  Mrs. Francis Graham, below,  portrayed Speaker of the House. Her daughter, Miss Alma Graham, was a Clerk.

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Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen

The following text does not necessarily reflect the ensuing photographs. Dr. Mary Crawford played the Minister of Health and Education…

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Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen

… Miss Kenneth Haig { Attorney General), Mrs. Lipsett-Skinner (Minister of Agriculture), Miss Francis Beynon (Leader of the Opposition) and Dorothy Milne.

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Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen

Mrs. Lipsett-Skinner, pleasantly satirical, rejected a bill introducing labor-saving devices. The thought was, if men had spare time on their hands, they could start educating themselves. Next thing, they’d be petitioning for the vote.

 
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Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen

Many men were in support of the Suffrage movement, and took part in the play. A delegation of men, headed by R.C. Skinner, came seeking suffrage privileges for the male sex. They had a slogan “We have the brains. Why not let us vote?”

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Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen
 
The men’s case was ardently presented. The bill was effectively thwarted by Premier McClung, in the same vein (but with comedic overtone) that she and the Women’s Equality League had been dissed the day before.
The audience howled in delight.
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Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen

To read the transcripts of the awesome “Winnipeg Free Press” review of that hilarious and historic night’s play about a mock parliament published on January 29, 1914 go to:

The Nellie McClung Foundation – Primary Sources Page – “Women Score in Drama and Debate” (4th article down) Apologies for the indirect link.

Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen
Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen

In the CBC archives from 1974 , is a video narrated by Beatrice Brighton who as a young girl  attended “A Woman’s Pariament” with  her mother. This is definitely worth a watch!

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Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen
Although Nellie and her family had moved to Edmonton, she returned to Manitoba to campaign for Liberal leader T. C. Norris in the August 1915 election. He defeated Premier Roblin. On January 28, 1916 Norris delivered his promise, granting full suffrage to the women of Manitoba.

 The third and final installment of “Nellie Week” will be posted on When Women Inspire in 2 days, on December 16.

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Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen – Photo & adjustment by Resa

 Pics taken by Resa – October 30 , 2016

Winnipeg, Manitoba
 

The Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen

⭐ Special thanks to: Jen Mosienko, Sari Habiluk & Sharon Jonson ⭐

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The Nellie McClung Foundation supports and celebrates equal rights for all human  beings, regardless of sex, race or creed.

Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen
Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen

This mural at 560 Sargent Avenue is to celebrate 100 years of women voting in Manitoba

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It is sponsored by: Crestview Pharmacy, Cindy Gilroy, Province of Manitoba/Sports, Culture & Heritage, Winnipeg Building and Decorating, University of Winnipeg,  North American Lumber, West End BIZ, Nellie McLung Foundation, Take Pride Winnipeg, and Winnipeg Foundation

My Funny Afterthoughts

Women had bigger and better hats than men. No wonder men were threatened. (Wink!)

Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen
Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen

So many issues! It’s a wonder men ever got the vote! (Wink!)

Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen
Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen

100 years later, women still do not have pay equity to men, in Canada! (No wink)

Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen
Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen

Lastly, if you love poetry and stories visit Christy on her other blog Poetic Parfait

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Artist: Mandy van Leeuwen

Winter’s Breath Hits Toronto

I did not pose for this painting, but it’s what I look like.

Artist: Cash Akoza
Artist: Cash Akoza

It all started on the side of a corrugated shipping container that Sherrie found in Winnipeg.

Artist: Cash Akoza
Artist: Cash Akoza
Artist: Cash Akoza
Artist: Cash Akoza

Then it spread out over the land of the midnight sun.

Artist: Cash Akoza
Artist: Cash Akoza

The blowup of the shot below is gorgeous!

Artist: Cash Akoza
Artist: Cash Akoza
Artist: Cash Akoza
Artist: Cash Akoza

⭐ Now winter is here. ⭐

Pics take by Resa – October 25.2016

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Artist: Cash Akoza

Artist: Cash Akoza
Artist: Cash Akoza
Artist: Cash Akoza
Artist: Cash Akoza