Tag: Toronto Outdoor Art

International Women’s Day

On By ResaIn Tributes2 Comments

March 8 is International Women’s Day.

Looking around the globe, especially beyond Europe, Canada and the U.S.A., a day seems a token.

When searching online about Women’s Day, I found this question & answer..

 “What is the color of International women’s Day 2024?

“The colours associated with International Women’s Day are purple, green, and white, each carrying symbolic significance. Purple represents justice and dignity, while green symbolizes hope. White, although a contentious concept, signifies purity.” 

These are the same colours that were used for the Women’s Suffrage Movement. I wrote the below article in 2014 for Christy Birmingham’s blog.

#GreenWhiteViolet Women’s suffrage in Canada

Emmiline and Christabel Parkhurst of the UK changed purple to violet to fit the slogan “Give Women the Vote,” Women would wear these colours, as a secret language. Peridots, emeralds, pearls, diamonds, amethysts, and garnets were worn. Jewelry with chains & bars denoted she had been to jail for the cause.

I made the above “Message in a Bracelet” in 2014, a precursor to celebrate 100 years of women voting. I’m also now calling it my “International Woman’s Day Bracelet“

Visit the INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY website

Night Owl

On By ResaIn Street Art138 Comments

Owls are largely nocturnal hunters.

They might hunt from a tree like my tree (aka Resa’s Tree), which lives on Tim’s Magic Tree Sanctuary

However, I found this owl in the daytime.

You’ll notice no owls in my daytime tree!

This owl is actually sitting on rocks by porch steps.

As day closes…

My tree awaits.

Owl Pics taken by Resa – February 21, 2024

Toronto, Canada

The Artist:

Tree pics © Timothy Price.

Kizmet

On By ResaIn Boxes103 Comments

Yes, it’s spelled different.

KISMET

a hypothetical force or personified power that determines the course of the future events : fate, destiny.

Kizmet 32 is the artist who painted this box.

Although it was kismet that I bumped into this art,

… on a sunny day along Lake Ontario.

That meant shadows, but I think they work here. They are barely noticeable on the east side of the box.

None at all on the north side. The lake is in the background.

Can’t see any on the west side. Ha! Suddenly I see KIZ.

I’m luvin’ the shadow on the south side.

I had to get in on it.

Back to the beginning.

Pics taken by Resa – February 9, 2024

Toronto, Canada

The Artist:

 

Art for Liz

On By ResaIn Faces, Graffiti Alley135 Comments

I was chatting in comments with Liz Gauffreau recently.

It got to a point where someone else might have said: I need a drink now, I’m going for a smoke, time for a coffee & some chocolate or think I’ll go for a walk.

.. but Liz, what does she say?

“I think I need some art now.”

How cool is that? Well I have art and told Liz, I have some art for you!

Then, while picking out some art, it was like ..well what does Liz like?

After sweating it out in photo files for a week, the choices were narrowed down to two.

There is this piece, which is avant garde, open to interpretations and I’m sure not everyone’s cuppa tea.

OR a HOT PINK GOD!

HOT PINK GOD is magnificent, classic, sculpture like although flat and accessible in meaning.

Of course there are other art forms, such as music.

I could sing a song for Liz, but I’m sure that would just drive her to needing more art.

It was hard for me to leave this location. I wanted to stay.

After much reflecting on the choice, it was evident that art love is subjective. Therefore it’s difficult to select for anyone other than self.

Pics taken by Resa – October 25, 2024

Toronto, Canada

The artist:

The pristine window across the street added 1 more opportunity to admire.

Kittens Under a Bridge

On By ResaIn Cats, Underpasses143 Comments

While on a streetcar going to the east end to look for art, I saw this,

…. under a bridge,

… in the dirt,

… on pieces of cut out and painted wood.

Several stops later, I disembarked the streetcar, and walked back.

It was a dry day. Brand new white sneakers were upon my feet.

It was difficult to capture the scene in its entirety, as it was low to the ground,

… and there was a yellow cable holder right in the centre.

 The only spot I found where the full shots could be taken from, was in rather wide, deep patch of muck.

Best way to break in new sneakers, ever!

Pics taken by Resa – February 5, 2024

Toronto, Canada

The Artist:

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.