Year of the Wood Dragon

On By ResaIn Chinese Zodiac, Street Art117 Comments

It’s said that Wood Dragon years bring evolution, improvement, and abundance. So, I went to Chinatown to find a Wood Dragon, and found a Qilin Dragon.

Head of a Dragon, Body of a Lion and Hooves of a Goat or Horse, it’s said to appear with the imminent arrival or passing of a sage or illustrious ruler.

Qilin is said to be a symbol of good fortune, prosperity, and wisdom, and it is believed to have the ability to walk on grass without disturbing it, as well as to breathe fire.

Chinatown is a busy, colourful place so one could miss this striking statue (it’s on a side street) when passing by.

There’s boatloads of info on all of the Chinese Lunar Dragons and the Qilin (Qi = Man & Lin = Woman) online.

5 years ago, I found a Chinese Lunar Calendar mural. Above is the dragon, who represents all of the Dragons: Earth, Metal, Water, Wood & Fire.

The wall the mural is above is 5 feet high, so I had to aim up with the camera. It is also a long mural stretching across 80 – 100 ft. of parking lot.

It’s displayed with 6 of the animals on each side separated by 3 charts.

You can read the charts easier by clicking on them.

Here are all the animals in a Slideshow.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Pics taken by Resa – March 2018 & January, 2024

Toronto, Canada

Zodiac Artists: Unknown at this time

The Qilin Artists:

Warren Quigly & Millie Chen

Year of the Wood Dragon begins February 10, 2024.

Gettin’ Down in Chinatown

On By ResaIn Chinatown85 Comments

It was like a Chinese puzzle when I got home and looked at the pics.

The beautiful face above is the centre of a long (about 75′) low-lying mural.

There are 3 faces; 1 at each end and 1 in the centre, with wide runs of abstract art in between.

So I found one of the end faces.

The second one appeared to be missing.

Do photo apps eat photos?

3 sections was the best way I could figure to show amap of the mural.

Kind of a bookends puzzle.

Pics taken by Resa – January 29, 2024

Toronto, Canada

The artist: Unknown at this time

A gentle reminder to please wash your car when parking by art.

The mural begins here.

The Zodiac Year as Seen by Anakreon Kanavakis 

On By ResaIn Reblogs

Aquarius is the last of 12 zodiac artworks by Marina’s father, Anakreon Kanavakis. 

Aquarius the cosmic humanitarian

It’s been such a wonderful visual trip through the year, that I have made a slideshow so you can see the art go by.

  • Aries
  • Taurus
  • Gemini
  • Cancer
  • Leo
  • Virgo
  • Libra
  • Scorpio
  • Sagittarius
  • Capricorn
  • Aquarius
  • Pisces

You can buy prints of Marina’s Art. Just click on “Image Kind” above, and go her page!

“Eyes Without a Face”

On By ResaIn Faces, Garage Doors131 Comments

It’s an old Billy Idol song.

His message is clear, yet living in an bohemian arts community at the time,

I thought “face without eyes” was more it.

 Some died. Some just faded away.

Pics taken by Resa – March 23, 2023

Toronto, Canada

TheArtist:

Most is behind garbage can, but it is LUVSUMONE aka Moises Frank

Yes, I actually just went into someone’s yard and took these. I saw it from the street and couldn’t control myself.

Ancient China – Warriors, Wise Man, 2 Beauties, (Pig & Goose)

On By ResaIn Kensington Market, Murals88 Comments

I found this in spring 2023. This mural runs along crumbling walls in an alley in Kensington Market.

Oddly, this pig is the first piece. Thinking about it, it seems to be part of the mural. Anyway, I decided to open with the above, which is third, working left to right.I like it best of the 3.

A Wise  man?

More Warriors

A goose

OUCH!

….and the beauties.

Pics taken by Resa – May 15, 2023

Toronto, Canada

The Artist:

This is what I saw when I first stumbled upon the mural.