In Kensington Market, on Augusta Avenue.
Took me ages to get the few shots I did. The tourists were out in full force, and I had to wait on many walking by.
There was a sun issue as well. It was peeking over the top of the building, making streaks and blinding me. So I also waited for clouds to come.
The message:
Pics taken by Resa – August 2, 2022
Toronto Canada
The Artist:
She’s a pretty face.
I can’t believe I hadn’t found this before, on one of my many trips to Kensington Market.
It’s obviously several years old, and I’ve been down the alley a few times.
Ah, but I hadn’t turned the corner in the alley, before.
Why? I figure all those black plastic rat traps put me off. However, now with Toronto’s new mushroomed rat problem, I have gotten used to seeing them run by, in the daytime.
I’m glad I found her. She’s a darling, and there is something satisfying about finding treasure in the trash.
Pics taken by Resa – August 2, 2022
Toronto, Canada
The artist:
As I exited the alley, I noticed the shop on the corner had 2 mandala wall hangings for sale. I immediately thought of Graham Stephan – Mandala Vihara
It is Mona Lisa – sort of.
Not much stencil art on the streets or in the alleys.
At first I didn’t like it. Now I do.
Pics taken by Resa – August 2, 2022
Toronto, Canada
The Artist?
Genre: SciFi-Horror-Adventure-Adult-Romance-Fantasy
There is no way to pigeon hole Mike Steeden’s writing, both in style and genre. Then again, my reviews are unorthodox. So, let me get on with it!
THE SCI-FI
Mayday was not born, she was made by a male professor/scientist. Her body is perfection, her blonde hair is to her waist. She is an adult without a childhood. She will never age. Her cerebral prowess is unfathomable, and grows during the course of the story. She can heal the ill, feed the hungry, make people forget or make them remember something different. That’s just the tip of it.
Her name means “help me”, but no one can; at least not for long, and not in the end.
THE HORROR
As knowledge of Mayday spreads throughout the world, there are 2 elemental societies that desire her. One is the religious fanatics that want to torture then crucify, or burn her at the stake. The other is the Nazis, who would use her to their advantage in securing the Master Race.
THE ADVENTURE
Rescued from prison, her safe keeping falls into the hands of a wealthy French man, Andrei Voland. It was just pre WWII and Andrei Voland, with a home in Paris and one in Lille, could afford all of the trappings, conveniences and more.
Andrei Voland hires Edith to give Mayday a makeover. Her hair is cut short, dyed black and Marcel waved. Make-up is a wise addition, as Mayday has been au naturel for her entire existence. Although Edith chooses smart fashions of the day, Mayday has her own take on the new her. She is given the name Nadele for public ventures.
Disguises & alter egos are Mayday’s reality.
For her part, Edith’s life is now in danger. Mayday, Edith and Andrei Voland move to his Lille home to hide.
Good friends, Eloise & Thunderman are let into the Mayday secret. Eloise joins them, living in the home in Lille. Thunderman, a large man, becomes security. They start “Looking Glass Vacations”, as a lucrative cover.
THE ADULT
Just for fun, Mayday takes Edith, Eloise and Andrei Voland mentally into a harem, for a taste of that life. Although only gone moments, the 4 experience hours of harem life. Mayday accidentally brings back a black slave. They name her Princess, and she joins the household.
When Andrei Voland and Mayday return from an investigative trip to the Vatican, Thunderman is dead at the Nazi’s hands. Princess has been kidnapped.
After rescuing Princess, Juliette and Esme are hired to help with the agency. Now Andrei Voland has 6 women & his brother Henri, security replacing Thunderman, living with him. As with the harem experience, there is nothing obscene; however the story is quite suggestive of a sexually free bohemian lifestyle. This bohemian lifestyle prevails throughout the story.
THE ROMANCE
Love and romance evolves and flourishes in Lille, France. Mayday, Edith, Eloise, Princess, Juliette, Esme, Henri and Andrei Voland live under the radar of the religious fanatics and Nazis. During this time life is wonderful. Until the Nazis near Paris!
It’s at this point that Juliette & Esme must flee, as they are not to the Nazi’s liking and will surely end up in a camp. When Mayday must leave to protect herself and others, Andrei Voland’s heart is shattered.
THE FANTASY
The ending of this tale is different from anything I’ve ever read. To see how this image applies, you’ll have to read the book.
To buy Mayday, or any of Mike Steeden’s books click on the book cover and go to Mike’s Amazon page.
The Author – in his own words – An aging old fool devoid of common sense and incapable of changing a light bulb. A ‘lefty’ at heart; an atheist by nature; I have no desire to be taken seriously!
The Author – in my words – Mike Steeden is a published prolific writer based in the UK. His mind is like the USS Enterprise in the sense that he goes where no man has gone before.
This mural by the most unique artist, Elicsr, is about 8 blocks from me.
He is saying something about communicating.
There is no business nearby, like a cell phone or computer place. It’s in the parking lot of a gourmet food shoppe.
It’s massive and goes up quite high, so the pics were challenging to take.
There is a person in a wheelchair on the far right.
That person seems alone, isolated… not in communication with the rest. Then again, no one seems in communication with anyone.
Got lucky with some great car/mural reflections.
Pics taken by Resa – July 23, 2021
Toronto, Canada
The artist – It’s signed 2001? but I would know if the mural was there for 21 years. I walk by often.
I’m sure SIGHT did the lettering.
I saw a sliver of this eye from a half block away. It was in a side lane, a perfect place for street art.
I hate jay-walking so I went 1 block back to the street light. I arrived at the art ‘s lane only to find a locked gate; behind parking for 2.
1/2 a block away I found a semi blocked off path/slot between 2 buildings.
50ft. later I was in a dead end lane, but it lead to the eye.
The Eye lead to the cheat – Valentino
Broken hearted, yet intrigued … why is the art so catchy, yet inaccessible?
A person like me might do what I did to get to see the art, only to realize it is a Valentino ad.
Was I baited?
Pics taken by Resa – June 14, 2022
Toronto, Canada
I found stone roses. I thought of Holly – House of Heart
They are on the same wall where I found “A Long Stemmed Rose for Holly.
The rose must have spilled seeds.
The seeds of love scattered,
and have grown on,
into a Stone Rose garden.
Like Holly’s poems, it’s lush and inviting.
It’s a beautiful happening!
The roses grow right out of the cement curb.
I wonder what will be here next time I pass by?
Pics taken by Resa – June 20, 2022
Toronto, Canada
The Artist:
Graffiti Lux Art & More 
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