urbansketcher

Wildflowers. Red Thistle and Madrid. Still life and urban sketching. Part 2.

Artist, ArtTravel, Uncategorized, Urban sketching

Red thistle flower and my absolute favorite city in Spain, Madrid—basically my love letter in plant form. Because apparently when I want to express passion, strength, energy, and fearlessness, I paint spiky flowers. Revolutionary, I know.

Madrid called. I answered in watercolor.

Madrid. A city with more sides to it than a geometry textbook—aristocratic, bohemian, and commercial all rolled into one impossibly stylish package. The moment you land there, something magical happens: the city whispers, “Hey, you look like you belong here,” and suddenly you feel like you actually do. Your city. Your home. The place where you’re meant to thrive (or at least enjoy really good tapas while pretending you belong).

Naming just a handful of Madrid’s masterpieces would be like choosing a favorite child—borderline impossible and slightly offensive to everyone involved. But here goes: Plaza Mayor (where people-watching reaches Olympic standards), Puerto del Sol (it’s basically Grand Central Station but cooler), the Prado Museum (where you can contemplate art for hours and feel intellectually superior), the Royal Palace (proving that “bigger” sometimes actually is better), Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum of Art (for when the Prado wasn’t quite enough art for your art-hungry brain), and Retiro Park (nature’s masterpiece to balance out all the human-made masterpieces). We’ve been there more times than we’d like to admit, and it’s absolutely penciled in for our next rendezvous. Or three. :)

I got so inspired that I created an entire series of watercolor and ink paintings featuring vibrant red and warm peach-colored thistles, all dedicated to one of my favorite cities in Europe. Because nothing says “I love you, Madrid” quite like painting prickly flowers obsessively.

This particular thistle features petals in tomato and red cabbage tones, paired with an indigo background because apparently I’m all about dramatic color combinations and life choices.

Tomato red meets indigo. Fancy.

Here we have a thistle sporting pomegranate and scarlet petals against a lemon and coffee-colored backdrop—basically proving that flowers have better color sense than most interior designers I know.

Pomegranate. Scarlet. Basically a salad, but make it art.

A watercolor masterpiece featuring thistle with shades of raspberry and blueberry swirling together with dark blue, crowned with celery-green leaves. Bright, bold, and absolutely gorgeous. (I’m biased, but also right.)

Raspberry, blueberry, dark blue — someone was hungry while painting.

The sunny thistle: a wildflower sporting cocoa-colored petals with artistic flourishes of cognac and a moody bluish background—basically the sophisticated cousin of all the other thistles.

Cocoa and cognac. The only acceptable breakfast palette.

And finally, a thistle with amethyst and salmon-hued petals floating against creamy, tender-feeling colors. This one’s basically the introvert of the collection—softer, dreamier, and slightly less inclined to poke you.

Amethyst and salmon walk into a painting…

If you ask me, Madrid is the red color personified. The land of gazpacho, bullfighting, and flamenco basically *is* red. Passionate, vibrant, unapologetically bold. And I’m absolutely here for it. :)

Madrid in the wild. No filter needed (okay, maybe one).

All paintings belong to yours truly (aka me). No image shall be copied without permission, or the color-mixing gods will have words with you.

Bon voyage! Until our next travel adventure (and probably another painting series). Stay healthy, stay curious, and keep your eyes open for wildflowers. You never know when one might inspire your next masterpiece.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 25 – Splat

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The next Inktober prompt is Splat.

For this I was doing an ink drawing of Splat water, with splashes of water that flow down from a long green leaf. I already miss summer days:) A person can forever look at three things: how the fire burns,how the other person works and how the water flows…

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Connect.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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My Greek Travel and Art. Philopappou Hill, dreams and art about Muses, architecture and cuisine on the Hill of the Nymphs, Athens

Artist, ArtTravel, Greece, Uncategorized, Urban sketching

“I love the way the Greeks have squeezed so much out of everything they have: oil from olive, wine from the grape, ouzo from ouzo is made from-I don’t know and I don’t care; I’ll drink it-feta cheese from sheep’s milk and salt, mosaic from pebbles, temples from stone.”

Mary Norris “Greek to me”

Exploring the Hill of Muses, ancient ruins

Let’s start a new story about Athens, its fair tale place in the ancient city. Philopappou Hill or Hill of the Muses is the forested hilltop with full view of the Parthenon.

Here artists and poets are drawing the inspiration and creativity while watching the Acropolis. Its marble seems soft pink in the setting sun. I called it the romantic and nature Atelier in the ancient city.

Would you like a cup of coffee while reading my story?:) As Greek saying about coffee: it is a way of Life.

Athens’ morning – Coffee in Greece: A Way Of Life

The Hill is close to the famous Monastiraki neighbourhood and Acropolis, has convenient location in the city and easy to walk for enjoyable atmosphere.

Like Greeks, I was ready to absorb everything the Hill of Muses is providing: the view of the Acropolis, the sunset behind the ancient city, the smell of olive trees that are growing all over the hill, the red poppies and the stones of ancient monuments and many narrow paths leading up to top’s hill of Muses where is located the monument of Prince Philopappo.

The Hill has even Prison of Socrates and ancient ruins on of the classical 5th century BC Themistoclean Wall.

Why the Hill’s second name Hill of Muses or Nymphs?

Apparently, the hill is also known as Hill of the Muses because it is believed to have been a place where the ancient Greeks worshipped the nine Muses, the goddesses of the arts and sciences. Voila!

Before a trip to Greece, I have read Theoi Project, the website exploring Greek mythology and the gods in classical literature and art. I definitely recommend this website to anyone who is interested in legends, its link is included in the post.

The Hill in spring is full of poppies, beautiful, bright and tender. Hmm… interesting thought. How can the hill of Muses whose mother was Mnemosyne, the titan goddess of Memory and Remembrance, be strewn with poppies, flowers of oblivion? :)

View of Parthenon with poppies

The nine muses from Greek mythology are patrons of the creativity. They are inspiring all sorts of discoveries and creations, from science to drama. Inspiration is something mystical, intangible, encompassing an actor, a writer, an inventor, and a scientist.

The muses give us the chosen ones new impulses and aspirations, the pangs of creativity and love, recognition and celebrity, sometimes purely and disinterestedly, and sometimes at the cost of sacrifice and complete giving up of important things. I immersed in the captivating world of metamorphosis as Zeus and Mnemosyne with their daughters from Athens’ sky and clouds.

Sky metamorphose. Zeus and Mnemosyne with daughters Muses

The Muses were the goddesses of music, song and dance, and the source of inspiration to poets. They were also goddesses of knowledge, who remembered all things that had come to pass. Later the Muses were assigned specific artistic spheres: Kalliope (Calliope), epic poetry; Kleio (Clio), history; Ourania (Urania), astronomy; Thaleia (Thalia), comedy; Melpomene, tragedy; Polymnia (Polyhymnia), religious hymns; Erato, erotic poetry; Euterpe, lyric poetry; and Terpsikhore (Terpsichore), choral song and dance.

I have only one question Why there is no Muse for the artists?:)

I created this series of Muses in Athens, thanks to the city’s inspiration and particularly Hill of Muses:)

Mnemosyne and Zeus’ nine daughters, I sketched it from Mosaic depicting the nine muses from Augusta Treverorum, colossal mosaic, a breathtaking epitome of artistic excellence, epitomizes the enchanting power of the nine muses.

There is the grace and allure of each muse.

Greek Culinary Delights

My family was visiting the Hill of Muses several times during our trip. We were feeling relaxed after busy days, it gave us inspiration and delight to our eyes, smell, even tactility:) I touched olives, poppies, the first spring green leaves of olive trees, listened to the sounds of birds and enjoyed white wine and the desserts in the restaurant Dionysos Zonar’s, its link will be provided is this post.

Do you know if you can eat olives directly from the trees? I even picked one olive from the tree, it was very hard with bitter taste:) Apparently, to obtain a delicious snack, olives and olives are soaked for a long time and then salted or pickled. It should be done in September not in spring time but it was a funny experiment:)

Talking about traditional Greek culinary, I love poppy seeds for their distinctive flavor and simply irresistible crunch.

From my childhood I remember enjoying the baked goods with poppy seeds in the mix my mom used to cook. My favourite one was the old world poppy seed rolls…

My advice to anyone visiting or living in Athens, just let you to be reach the beauty and artistry of the Hill of Muses, imagine yourself in the company with these mystical creations. Maybe the muses will guide your own creativity and unlimited inspiration.

What are your experiences or thoughts about the Hill of Muses?:)

Bon voyage! Until the next travel:) Stay healthy.

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

Links

https://artsandculture.google.com/story/mosaic-of-the-muses/nwUhQmZJFCViIg

Theoi Project, a site exploring Greek mythology and the gods in classical literature and art link is below:

https://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/Mousai.html

Dionysos Zonar’s restaurant link:

https://dionysoszonars.gr/

Tools used for my painting. Watercolour brands Van Gogh and Cotman. Paper Canson Mix Media album 28×35 cm (11×14 in.) and Canson Watercolour album 25×35 cm (11 x15 in.)

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My Greek travel and art. Benaki museum

Artist, ArtTravel, Greece, Uncategorized, Urban sketching

“Greek to me” by Mary Norris

“The Benaki is Museum in Athens, one of the best museums in Greece, the Alexandrian Greek Antonis Benakis, who donated his building and his family’s house to the state…Anyone who loves language loves the alphabet… Instead of apples and bananas and cats, the book’s illustrations are pieces from the collection of the Benaki; alpha is for airplane (αεροπλάνο ), beta is for book (βιβλίο), gamma is for gorgon (γοργόνα).”

I am going to share my first impression from the ancient city Athens with you in this post. It has been in the back drawer for more than a year, but now is the time! Even if you are not going to Greece, read it over coffee – it gives you the feeling that you are walking along the pavements of an ancient city.

The Benaki museum is one of interesting places in Athens Kerameikos neighbourhood, I suggest going for their cafe on the terrace to enjoy the view while sipping the Greek coffee: and enjoy the classical falafel with peppermint as species.

It was so unusual and unexpected that our first thing to do in Athens was the Benaki museum vs. Acropolis or others #1 from the recommended lists for travellers. I have read about Benaki museum in the book “Greek to me” by Mary Norris. And Benaki Museum appears one of my favourite museum of Greek culture.

From the rich collection of Prehistoric, Ancient Green and Roman, one of the museum’s statue that impressed me was Eros and Psyche, and the myth telling about about truly love. The bone plaque with a relief representation that repeats the Hellenistic combination of Eros and Psyche was one of my highlight for that day. The myths of ancient Greece have inspired countless artists over the centuries. From Renaissance artists to modern filmmakers, Psyche and Eros (or “Cupid”) have served as sources of inspiration and have been represented in many great and sometimes lesser works of art in many variations. My art is about metamorphosis of sky and clouds on that sunny day that transformed to Psyche and Eros:)

The Legend of Psyche and Eros is a touching love story gifted to the world by the rich Greek mythology.

Athens has everything I enjoy in my life – top level museums, homemade great food with aroma species, ancient statues and architecture, rich music concerts, some luxury, shopping, a young street life and lovely musical language of Ellada.

Spring in Athens is so beautiful! Especially if you equip yourself with the right guide and know where to watch the sunset, where to drink wine and what museums not to miss and where to go in the area.

” With it rank upon rank of icons and its collections of sculpture, pottery, jewelry, silver – from the archaic to the modern -the Benaki is a world-class museum

“Greek to me” by Mary Norris

Bon voyage! Until the next travel:) Stay healthy.

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

Links

Benaki museum https://www.benaki.org/index.php?lang=en

cafe in Benaki museum https://www.dipnosofistirion.gr/en/benaki-museum-restaurant-cafe/

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 30 – Slither

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The next Inktober prompt is Slither.

For Inktober prompt Slitcher I did an ink drawing of ice skaters. This joy that you experience from sliding … fast and not very … Lightness, smiles!Beautiful lighting, music  and a huge amount of endorphins – hormones of happiness – are released into your body and you are full of optimism and joy:)

How long have you been skating? Last winter? Or many years ago, as a child? Cutting through the air, rushing on skates is fun that charges us with positive and makes us feel so fast and light:)

I am looking forward for skating here, in Toronto this winter!:)

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Risk.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage! Stay healthy.

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.

My favourite art store in Toronto Deserres, Spadina Ave

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Contact us

Welcome to a world of limitless possibilities, where the journey is as exhilarating and where every moment is an opportunity.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 29 – Patch

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The next Inktober prompt is Patch.

For prompt Patch I am doing a wax seal stamp on an old envelope. Why envelopes with a wax seal stamp are full of romance?:)This is what exudes antiquity, palace coups, conspiracies and secrets. These are love letters, secret messages that were not supposed to be read by those to whom they were not intended. All envelopes were sealed with a wax seal by that time. It was the “password” on the mailbox for many centuries, which could only be cracked by skilled hands:) The antic cybersecurity was committing to protect their private secters…

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Slither.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage! Stay healthy.

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 28 – Crispy

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The next Inktober prompt is Crispy.

Crispy baguette is the real symbol of France:)

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Patch.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage! Stay healthy.

You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 27 – Spark

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The next Inktober prompt is Spark.

Ink drawing of spark on red embers. Barbeque might just be the most delicious food on the planet. We did it this fall in Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, Canada. Most people like to watch the flame cover, sparks gleam, firewood crackles and yammy barbeque will warm up you on a cold evening.

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Crispy.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 26 – Connect

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The next Inktober prompt is Connect.

I did some kind of surrealistic and impressionist ink drawing for prompt CONNECTion in between past, current and future worlds. The painting shows an imaginary door with floral plume of daisy petals that leads into another world, a parallel reality of times past. A curious mind will always find a path, a door, a way to explore others worlds.

How was it to live in previous centuries? And what will our future look like? And where is that DOOR that lets us peek into the other realities? These are among many questions one could ask in a question of finding interesting answers. 

“The most beautiful things we can experience is the mysterious” Albert Einstein.

A link to my original painting is below.

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Spark.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage! All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 24 – Extinct

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The next Inktober prompt is Extinct.

I am doing an ink drawing of opposite meaning of extinct:) There is active and non -Extinct, long-dormant volcano of Vesuvius with the foreground of city Pompeii. Today, Mount Vesuvius is the only volcano on the European mainland. Mount Vesuvius eruption, which covered the nearly-restored city with blanket of ash and lava in 79 AD. 

I would like to go back to this city with background of formidable and majestic volcano in Pompeii.

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Splat.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 23 – Leak

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The next Inktober prompt is Leak.

For the prompt Leak I did some sort of philosophical drawing of “leakage” of flowing time out of a wood watch. It is surrealistic ink drawing of hour and minute hands of watch that are “tightened” with a scotch tape. The idea came to me when we visited Dalí Theatre-Museum Figueres in Spain. Dali’s painting The Persistence of Memory is one of the my favorite work of Surrealism. Live in the moment:)

Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life. Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now: A Guide

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Extinct.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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You are welcome to visit my personal website pages. There, you can find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings. You can buy canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 22 – Open

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The next Inktober prompt is Open.

For prompt Open I am doing an ink drawing of an Open window to the city of Rome with the Colosseum as background. A white dove sitting on a balcony and enjoying the Eternal city. Scientists believe space travel is possible. You just need a portal, for example a window…voilà and you are in Rome or Paris or another your dream place:) My Yales’ course the Roman Archtecture is helping imagine it:)

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 21 – Fuzzy

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The next Inktober prompt is Fuzzy.

For the prompt Fuzzy I imagined a foggy morning, forest glade with some summer flowers, everything is a little bit sleepy and fuzzy… You might get lost in the fog and find yourself in a mysterious world, where different amazing creatures live:)

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Open.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 20 – Sprout

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The next Inktober prompt is Sprout.

I was doing an ink drawing of a little sprout I saw once in Rome. A small green bud made its way between the big and heavy stones in the ancient pavement.

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Fuzzy.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 19 – Loop

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The next Inktober prompt is Loop.

For the prompt Loop I am doing an ank drawing of my interwined headphones:) How they can get so tangled in loops and knots when although they lie peacefully in my bag:)

Do you know a joke about Bluetooth? – You will only know that your phone was picked up by a pickpocket when the bus leaves the stop … haha, still like my headphones beside their “loops”:)

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Sprout

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 18 – Moon

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The next Inktober prompt is Moon.

Do you like warm summer evenings when the moon starts to light up? It gives fresh, romantic and cozy look. A lunar path appears on the water surface, lighting up the landscape with its warm brilliance.

The link to my original oil painting Lunar track on the southern night is below

https://pixels.com/featured/france-lunar-track-on-the-southern-night-mediterranean-sea-tamara-vitsenkova.html

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Loop

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 17 – Collide

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The next Inktober prompt is Collide. Ladies, coffee and little secrets-when two people collide: the power of human connection in a big city.

The original art was done using a Silk Paints application, draw this womanized picture after a coffee break with my daughter, below is the link.

https://pixels.com/featured/little-secrets-tamara-vitsenkova.html

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Moon.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 16 – Compass

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The next Inktober prompt is Compass. I am doing an ink drawing of compass we used to have at home, I was playing with it when I was a kid. From my childhood’s memory, it was a piece of art, nice to touch with a cover with a velvet cushion. It was a classical compass, my dad was explaining how to use it, it was the masterpiece… What a pity that now we do not use a compass, everything is built into our smartphones:)

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Collide

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 15 – Helmet

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

Next Inktober prompt is Helmet.

My next Inktober ink drawing is about a Helmet, part of Armoury museum in Mougins, France. It has the huge collection of ancient helmets. Soldiers lived, fought, and died in this equipment, and much of it bears the scars of battle from ancient military campaigns in past.

This is my post about Mougins in the south of France. I would like to go back one day:) https://travelartblog.home.blog/2020/01/28/travel-and-art-france-how-to-bring-more-joy-to-your-vacation-or-provencal-one-day-trips-part-2/

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Compass.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 14 -Pick

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

Next Inktober prompt is Pick. I did an ink drawing of Greek papyrus with TO DO tick mark for the travel bucket list:) It is my last year’s failed trip because of the pandemia and a planned trip in the future to the Greece, one of the most amazing and unique in its beauty countries in Europe. Travel Checkmark list is helpful for all travellers who is in love with history, architecture and voyage, ticks will help do not to miss anything and remember everything, have experience as many emotions as possible, so that there is something to dream about the next trip!:)

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Helmet.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Contact us

Welcome to a world of limitless possibilities, where the journey is as exhilarating and where every moment is an opportunity.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 13 -Roof

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

Next Inktober prompt is Roof. For this prompt I have some ideas, thank you to my husband’s photos of many places we visited:) I will add a link to his site.

Firstly, it is the Roof of beautiful Milan’s Cathedral with its graceful spiers and pointed turrets that are directed into the sky, and slightly pinkish marble walls are decorated with many sculptural images. Secondly, an ink drawing of extraordinary roofs in Provence, south of France. The warm and cozy brown, orange and yellowish shades of roofs with background of the blue water of the Mediterranean Sea are one of my coming art project:) Another option, the “roof” of yellow and red colours leaves’ trees in any Ontario places in Canada. The trees’ brushes are like ceillings for roads when you drive or walk. This nature “roof” looks the same in Canada and in my motherland Belarus or any place in Earth. And next idea brings me to the “decision” for this prompt that includes both Roof and Autumn, 2 in 1!:)

For the prompt Roof I am doing an ink drawing of lovely roofs of the pastoral town Rottenburg ob der Tauber in Germany we stayed once in the fall. Here, you can enjoy viewing of the little houses’ roofs with background of golden trees’ leaves that nature itself painted land in the Northen Bavaria. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the place …its like you are in an alternative universe or you have gone back in time:)

This is the site with images belong to and can be purchased from Vlad Vitsenkou

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Pick

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 12 -Stuck.

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

Next Inktober prompt is Stuck.

I am doing an ink drawing of one of fascinating sculptute in Paris. It is completed after the book “The man who passed through walls”/”Le passer muraille” by Marcel Aymé. It tells of the adventures of a “little” person in a ministry who realized that he can walk through walls:). He became a powerful man, what happened next? One day, the man was stuck in the wall… The sculpture’s figure coming out from a high wall, looks very intriguing… I recommend to read this book and visit the Place Marcel-Aymé in Monmartre’s Paris when you travel to Paris next time:)

A link to the book here. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1327681.Le_passe_muraille

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Roof.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 11 -Sour.

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

Next Inktober prompt is Sour.

For prompt Sour I am doing an ink drawing of one mythical creature Leshy from slavic mythology. It is very popular character in Belarusian fairy tales that I remember from my childhood. “The Witcher” has many bad sour and tempered faces, like the forest itself. In all fairy tales Leshy is the forest’s owner, this is his house and all the animals are his wards. Leshy jokes over people, leads them into the thicket, frightens, leads astray, makes noise, whistles, claps his hands. Sometimes in fairy tales, the Leshy is nice character who helps those who get lost out of the forest, protects the heroes from wolves and bears:)

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Stuck.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 10.

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The October 10th prompt is Pick.

My interpretation of this world for my Inktober 2022 is “choose something from a number of alternatives, typically after careful thought.” Well, I am chosing an ink drawing of … French charcuterie:)

French cuisine is not a collection of dishes, but a ceremonial, a feast is a moment of communication,it is a part of French culture. When people have lunch or dinner together, they share it with each other. The food we eat matters not only for the body, but also for the mind. I pick ballotines, pâtés, and confit, wine, a cheese,ham a baguette, as the maginicifient French charcuterie.

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Sour.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 9.

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The October 9th prompt is Pressure.

A rainy Saturday afternoon encouraged me to draw some sort of social ink drawing for Inktober 2021. Pressure and manipulation of public opinion to a person, pressure from a city, pressure from the employer…And it would be great to break the “fetters” from a manipulator and manage your life by yourself:)

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Pick.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 8.

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The October 8th prompt is Watch.

For prompt Watch I was doing ink drawing of the interior clock of the D’Orsay museum in Paris. The clock is in between the museum building and sky, it looks out over the river Seine and garden Jardin des Tuileries. Looking through the clock, you can enjoy the magificient capital of France.

At first the Musée d’Orsay was a train station, the Gare d’Orsay built for the Universal Exposition of 1900. The clock is actually a reminder from the train station that overlooked the platforms of the rail station a century ago.

I love the D’Orsay clock because they’re so large, they also function as a window. How many important and romantic meetings have taken place under this clock, who knows?:)

The current museum exhibits artworks of the 19th century including Impresdionist paintings and this is my favourite museum in the world. I posted about many pqarisisian museums including D’Orsay museum here. https://travelartblog.home.blog/2020/02/02/travel-and-art-france-3-days-in-paris-or-a-slice-of-museums-in-paris-the-home-for-wonderful-museums-part-3/

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Pressure.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 7.

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The October 7th prompt is Fan.

For prompt Fan I was doing ink drawing of my fan that we bought during our European traveling in Barcelona in Poble Espanyol – Spanish village. There are so many artistic and elegant souvenirs in this place:) I do recommend shopping here…

Fan, in addition to the obvious usage to create a stream of air around the face, neck and shoulders when it’s hot, is also used to be the art of flirting.

So, if a lady touched her lips and heart with an open fan, she would say: “You are my ideal.” If she applied the fan with her right hand to her left cheek, then, alas, she made it clear that courtship was useless. It used be a real fan language that allowed a woman to conduct a love affair without resorting to words and letters that could expose her:)

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Watch.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 6.

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The October 6th prompt is Spirit.

For prompt Spirit I was doing ink drawing of a spiritual Dream Catcher with background of the Grand Canyon in USA. A dream catcher is a symbol of armor and protection among numerous indigenous cultures and tribes. It’s a handmade willow hoop woven to a web or literally, a net with feathers.

The dream catcher is a talisman that is ptotecting people from bad dreams. The Canadian and American aboriginal cultures believe that both good and bad dreams fill the air at night.

Someone said that Soulmates cherish each other’s feelings and believe in each other’s dreams. Cool, isn’t it?:)

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Fan.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 5.

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The October 5th prompt is Raven.

For prompt Raven I was doing ink drawing of a raven sitting on a street lamp next to the Louvre museum in Paris.

It was an old and wise raven who was looking down on all the tourists queuing up at the museum. Perhaps this bird remembers events that happened in France 300 years ago, who knows?:)

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Spirit.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 4.

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The October 4th prompt is Knot.

For this prompt I was doing a drawing with trees’ roots intertwined into knots in this enchanted forest. We visited Jones waterfall on Ontario, Canada and were impressed by it by view of these trees’ “knots”…

There is a raging and rumbling waterfall right in the forest. Well.. it was a combination of a scary fair tale’s feelings to overlook many huge intertwined roots in knots of gigantic trees on the edge of the abyss and at the same time a magic view of the waterfall.. I do recommend to visit this place to everyone:)

I added a little bit burnt sienna and peat brown ink for adding some autumn’s atmosphere for my drawing.

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Raven

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 3.

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The October 3rd prompt is Vessel.

For my drawings and painting I usually need a story or memory behind it. For prompt Vessel I had some sort of dilemma:)

My 1st option was to do a drawing from life a part of Toronto’s street sculpture with only sinking vessel’s stern is viewable for pedestrians. Yes, it was a good option for ink drawing but it would be a little bit sad one for Inktober…

The 2nd option was a boat that is peacefully swaying on the waves. I used to love watching a boat in Frejus, French riviera during our vacation in France. It would be a good option with a summer vessel’s drawing.

The third option was a gondola with beautiful boats on the Venetian festival Regata Storica. There are many bright colourful vessels with people in elegant historical costumes during competition on Grand Chanal.

Well.. a “story” from Toronto’s street sculpture or a boat from summer vacation in France or Italian festival’s boats? I chose the fall’s festival with some vessels:) My husband’s photo would be the reference for my drawing. I definitely started to receive fun in the game of Inktober!:)

Hope that I convey the atmosphere of magical days when the weather is still warm and cozy, lots of locals and tourists are gathering to enjoy the Venetian competition between teams in beautiful colourful vessels with background of Venetian architecture. The historical festival is giving an additional feeling for the city, a unique and exciting way to get in touch with the spirit of this ancient city and one of its best known traditions: Venetian rowing.

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Knot.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 2.

Artist, ink, Uncategorized, Urban sketching, Voyage

The October 2nd prompt is Suit.

Suit is very important part of appearance of any person, it is showing the epoch when a person lived, their gender, society status, etc.

Well, my favorite 19 century and the city of Paris as a place will be my story’s drawing.

I need a time machine to go there and to do my drawing from their real life’s elegent suits, frock coats and cylinders for men and wearing long flowing dresses with high collars and puffed sleeves, skirts with layer upon layer of lace for women.

…It was an iconic era for France and fashion . Yes, France is famous for is fashion forever:)

For this drawing I chose using ink and Fabel Castell markers to add some vintage atmosphere.

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Vessel.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Day 1.

ink, Uncategorized

For Inktober I bought two new albums and tested both, Rhodia and Clairefontaine Goldline. Both have great quality of paper,hmm not easy desicision..:)

I chose Rhodia ink album, Noodler’s ink and Lamy pen for my Inktober 31 days maraphon 2021. Let’s start FUN!:)

The October 1st prompt is Crystal. I choose our daughter’s souvenir from Denver, USA as my reference to draw a crystal. A little iron horse is standing on a postament made from ametist.

Crystal of ametist has interesting option to refract light and its dark view has magical power to this stone, looks like very fregile and light but it is strong and beautiful. Did you know that crystals were used by some medieval poets as a way to question desire and the wonder of love?:)

Inktober 2021. Day 1. Crystal

My discovery that ink drawing is easy to do with Lines and Spots and enjoy the process:) And one more thought, next time during my travelling I will buy more souverirs, they are the best memory:)

I am adding my stamp with logo of Travel and Art that I did by myself and date for my records.

And I am ready for tomorrow’s Inktober prompt – Suit.

Here is the official site with 2021 prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

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Travel and Art based on Inktober 31 days=31 drawings fun challenge. Beginning.

Illustrative Journey, ink, Uncategorized

This is the 1st time I decided to participate in the famous global challenge Inktober 31 days maraphon. Let’s start FUN!:) Here is the official site with prompts and rules https://inktober.com/

My drawings Inktober will be based on some little stories about travel, happened in past and planning future ones. It will be about my favourite places in France, Italy, Spain, motherland Belarus and my current home country Canada, maybe I will discover new places with my virtual travel and art.

Who knows it will be an easy or hard journey for future 31 days or after couple days my regular full time job tasks will stop my optimism to do daily drawings and posts and move it away with Toronto fall windy weather.. will see:)

My goal is attempt to learn something new and be part of my colleagues artists in all countries. I am inviting everybody to join our community:)

I am planning to use watercolor paper and black ink, maybe will add some light tones with other ink’s colours or some watercolours, will see how it goes. The October 1st prompt is Crystal, until tomorrow:)

https://inktober.com/

Bon voyage! Stay healthy.

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.

My favourite art store in Toronto Deserres, Spadina Ave

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The magic of the holidays is in the making! ✨ Join me on this artistic adventure as I explore the captivating world of #TravelVibes #ArtAdventure

My Toronto. Stay home and Urban sketching. Travel and Art. November, Winter mood. Part 10

ArtTravel

This post is a collection of my October daily sketches, but we’re jumping straight to winter. Because why follow a calendar like normal people?

Toronto’s winter is basically nature’s way of saying “time to stay indoors and contemplate your life choices.” Think snow, think wind, think your home suddenly becomes a cozy fortress where you can enjoy the view from your window while secretly judging people who actually venture outside. There’s ice skating (bring your bruises), and a festive Christmas-New Years atmosphere that makes you forget your heating bill exists.

Fair warning: All paintings in this post are refugees from previous seasons. Consider them time travelers.

Ontario Place in winter, immortalized in oil. Pro tip: If you squint really hard at this painting, you can spot the CN Tower looming in the distance—you know, that charming 0.5 km tall landmark that Toronto residents can see from literally everywhere, even from their nightmares.

Spot the CN Tower. No seriously, it’s in there somewhere.

Winter at Toronto Music Garden downtown? Chef’s kiss. Fancy lights everywhere, a stunning CN Tower backdrop, and—here’s the plot twist—a couple of bright yellow summer beach chairs just casually hanging out on the frozen Ontario lake, apparently on strike from summer and refusing to acknowledge they’re in the wrong season.

Beach chairs on ice. Summer is in denial.

Queens Quay West and Spadina: The year is ending, and Toronto’s streetcar is basically in a mad dash to the finish line! This imaginary masterpiece features a Toronto tram hurtling toward the New Year like it’s late for a very important date, complete with Christmas sled deer (yes, deer—stay with me), flying gifts, and a suspiciously placed bucket of champagne just waiting to get obliterated by a speeding tram. What could go wrong? Happy Holidays will be welcoming… especially this year :)

Yet another Toronto Music Garden watercolor! Featuring: one lonesome snowman, striking a philosophical pose with the CN Tower as his existential backdrop, and a shimmering silver Christmas ball judging his life choices. This was painted during a winter when Toronto actually got snow—yes, that rare, mythical phenomenon. Spoiler: snow doesn’t usually crash this far south near Ontario lake. When it does, locals act like they’ve discovered a new planet.

Or maybe it was a family having the time of their lives, engaged in the ancient tradition of hurling snowballs at each other and collaborating on a frosty monument to their own architectural ambitions.

Behold: A breathtakingly frosty twilight of downtown Toronto—complete with the Financial district’s fortress of high-risers, a cameo by the CN Tower, and Thompson Hall photobombing the party. I even threw in some gold powder because subtlety is overrated.

Gold dust included. You’re welcome.
Toronto in winter. Beautiful. Cold. Very cold.
Holiday vibes, zero heating bills pictured.

Gold fantasy extravaganza featuring the CN Tower, Thompson Hall, and Christmas balls so large they probably require their own zip codes.

Romantic. Festive. Definitely not freezing.

The romantic holiday painting with the beautiful night view of Toronto, featuring cheerful downtown during the holiday season. Clock counts down minutes to the New Year, Champagne is ready.

…and winter sunset skyline of Toronto downtown with CN Tower and Rogers centre. My dream shows lots of Christmas balls up in the air with my favorite places in Toronto – CN Tower, Rogers centre, Zoo, ROM Museum, Thompson Hall, Union station, AGO Museum, Pearson airport balls. Everybody can find their interesting places and buildings in the city. Watercolour painting with the landmarks and museums  of the City on the Christmas balls, impressionism

Blue hour. Deep thoughts. Frozen toes.

The Toronto Music Garden at night, now in moody blue. Very brooding. Very mysterious. Very “I’m contemplating why I’m standing outside in the snow.”

The snowman has seen things. He stares into the void.

Fingers crossed that my Toronto posts successfully convince you that this city is beautiful and welcoming! (The winter part is negotiable.)

Bon voyage! Until the next adventure :) Stay healthy, stay warm, stay away from icy patches.

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission. (Yes, I’m watching.)

Tools used for my painting: Watercolour by Charvin and Van Gogh brands (yes, THE Van Gogh—no big deal), Derwent watercolour pencils that cost more than my rent, and Faber Castell artist pens for the details. Paper by Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.) – perfect for when you want your masterpieces portable-sized.

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My Toronto. Stay home and Urban sketching. Travel and Art. Music Garden, downtown. Part 9

ArtTravel

Welcome to the grand finale of my daily “travel and art” expedition through my home city Toronto—specifically October, when the weather couldn’t decide if it was summer or fall and everyone just wore a hoodie with the faint hope they’d covered all their bases. This post is about my neighborhood and that delightful little oasis called the Music Garden, where I pretend I’m culturally sophisticated when really I just wanted a place to sketch away from distracting squirrels.

Yes, that lamp is judging you.

The current unusual year with #stayhome and #lockdown is giving me the “opportunity” (read: forced chance) to discover the bright and friendly place I live in. Turns out when you can’t leave your city, you get really creative about appreciating it. Who knew?

The tram that never waited for anyone.

This painting is mostly for fun :) Honestly, the main subject is that bright yellow street sign screaming “Sidewalk maybe slippery” at the pedestrians—because nothing says “artistic endeavor” like immortalizing municipal warnings in watercolor. I may or may not have laughed while painting it.

I used to trudge this way every morning to my office like a regular working human. Not this year! Almost all locals are now professional Zoom dwellers, except for our essential and frontline workers—thank you, seriously! This particular bridge? It’s on Spadina avenue at Front street, where I stand looking artistically contemplative while secretly plotting which coffee shop to revisit.

Nature doing its best impression of a painting.
Still prettier than my apartment.

The Music Garden is still blooming, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge that autumn exists. Apparently Mother Nature didn’t get the memo about the seasonal calendar this year, which honestly? Respect.

The garden, unbothered, thriving, iconic.

My fall “travel and art” adventure in October’s Toronto has officially concluded. Turns out there are buckets of lovely places in and around the city if you’re brave enough to venture beyond your kitchen during a lockdown. (Spoiler: I was.)

High Park in fall. No filter needed — but I used one anyway.

I documented some of my daily sketches this month, capturing my “art office” in all its chaotic glory—you know, that corner where I pretend to look professional while surrounded by paint-stained brushes, mysterious crumbs, and at least three empty coffee cups. It’s organized chaos. Mostly chaos.

Bon voyage! Until the next adventure :) Stay healthy—and more importantly, stay creative!

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission. (Yes, I’m protective of my work. You would be too if you’d spent this much time not getting paid for it.)

Tools used for my painting: Watercolor by Charvin and Van Gogh (the fancy stuff that makes you feel fancy for approximately 0.5 seconds before you drip it on your sleeve). Derwent watercolor pencils and Faber Castell artist pens (because I like to mix media and confuse myself). Paper: Strathmore Watercolor and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)—perfect for when you want to create art but also maintain your sanity by keeping it to a manageable size.

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My Toronto. Stay home and Urban sketching. Travel and Art. Old Toronto. Part 8.

ArtTravel

My daily sketches’ journey in October 2020 is very close to the end. The next chapter is Old #Toronto.

Gooderham and Worts Distillery National Historic Site of Canada with industrial skyline of pitched roofs, turrets, chimney stacks and parapet.

When every chimney has retired but still dresses for the occasion.
Brick by brick, century by century — still standing, still judging your latte choices.
Old buildings staring down the new ones like: ‘We were here first.’

There are abandoned buildings with modern city’s buildings as background. Paintings were done as mixed of watercolour pencils, watercolour paints and acrylic, above added oil to add some texture for bricks.

I added cum clouds for peaceful sky and keep the interest in the scene to substitute buildings’ pipes that do not smoke anymore.

Abandoned? Prefer ‘vintage and unbothered.’
Cobblestones: lovingly restored. Tourist elbows: free of charge.

A lovingly rebuilt historic district that’s now so touristy, even the cobblestones are posing for selfies—yet somehow the old spirit still refuses to check out.

Canada Malting Site .It is one of two remaining silos in Toronto’s Harbourfront in Ontario, Canada. It is almost 100 years.

The museum and house Sir William Campbell is a vibrant public space where members of Toronto’ communities giving life to the words “freedom of expression.” Painting was done as combination of fountain pen with watercolour paints.

Almost 100 years old and still not on TikTok. Respect.

Toronto’s CN Tower, casually photobombing downtown with its reflection on the surrounding buildings, has been the city’s superstar landmark for the last 45 years. That basically makes it ancient history by our young country and city standards. CN originally stood for Canadian National, the railway company that decided, “You know what would be fun? A *massive* tower.” At over half a kilometer tall (555 m), the CN Tower spent more than three decades as the reigning champ of tallest building, tower, and freestanding structure—because apparently “really, really tall thing” needed multiple categories.

The CN Tower refused to be painted directly. A diva to the last pixel.

I decided to be “original” and painted this famous building, the CN Tower, not directly, but as a reflection in the fancy high-rises that try very hard to look taller than Canada’s tallest landmark:)
I splashed in deep blue and juicy raspberry colours for a slightly over-the-top romantic vibe. This early-dawn scene was painted in the morning before work hours—because coffee and sunrise apparently make me think I’m a landscape poet with a paintbrush.

Bon voyage! Until the next travel:) All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

Tools used for my painting Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)

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My Toronto. Stay home and Urban sketching. Travel and Art. Weird statues-2. Part 7.

ArtTravel

Daily sketches in downtown Toronto with some funny sculptures. In this post I am adding 3 interesting sculptures and architecture that are located at one park, very convenient for the artists, locals and tourists:)

Dog Fountain at Berczy park. 2020 new reality. I saw some disposable masks on the sculptures of dogs. It is still one of the favorite meet point for friends in the city:) I added coolers of sour cream, tobacco and cappuccino to add warmth of the last days of the Indian summer. 

https://pixels.com/featured/toronto-dog-fontain-at-berczy-park-tamara-vitsenkova.html

Toronto downtown beautiful Flatiron building by architector Derek Besant. It has a narrow angle from one side, but I like its facade on Berczy park, overlooking the square, like the wrapped edges of autumn leaves. I using colors salmon + rose + vanilla

https://pixels.com/featured/torontoflatiron-building-at-berczy-park-tamara-vitsenkova.html

And another weird and fanciful sculpture of hands out of the ground. Maybe they are life-giving hands of the Earth?:) In my painting I used matte and very deep black with indigo, grass is an autumn shade of flax. The background is the peach-colored building Flatiron building at Berczy park.

https://pixels.com/featured/torontohands-sculpture-at-berczy-park-tamara-vitsenkova.html

Bon voyage! Until the next travel:)

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission

Tools used for my painting Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)

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My Toronto. Stay home and Urban sketching. Travel and Art. Ontario Place. Part 5

ArtTravel

Toronto daily sketches are continued…Mild autumn weather in Toronto helps my art activities.

https://pixels.com/featured/evening-golden-fall-tamara-vitsenkova.html

Ontario Place is an artificially created island park in downtown with recreation area, on the territory of which there are venues for various festivals, an IMAX cinema, a Budweiser concert stage, well this year they are quite empty..

https://pixels.com/featured/ontario-place-toronto-tamara-vitsenkova.html 

It has a small marina with snow-white yachts, and many pleasant paths for walking and cycling.

Lovely sunset in Ontario Place and its lonely standing windshare. It reminds me about its famous windmills near Amsterdam, or Cervantes Don Quichotte mills in Spain or a flour mill of my grandgrandparents as per our family’s legends in Belarus. Yes, I am missing so much our annual vacation in Europe, hope that this “stayhome” will be over soon…

Toronto’s fall is very soft and warm, so you can enjoy all this beauty, leisurely walking through numerous the local parks and the picturesque waterfront of Lake Ontario.

https://pixels.com/featured/trees-golden-fall-tamara-vitsenkova.html

Beautiful maples, painted in bright red and gold, are planted along the Ontario lake’s parks.

Bon voyage! Until the next travel:)

All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.

Tools used for my painting Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)

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