Reflections on Windows
In 2009/10, my work focused on windows. They are omnipresent. They hide, they expose, the let in light. They have so many functions. I captured some images that made me stop and reflect as well.
Pearson - waiting
This painting is the last in the series and the windows are actually secondary. While at arrivals at Pearson, across from me was this group of people who were not a group. They were each in their own unconnected world of impatient, forced waiting. I think that stressful inactivity is highlighted by the vibrant background, which probably also caught my eye that day. Acrylic on canvas. Size: two feet by four feet - sold.
Distillery District Window
This was the first painting in the series. It was a lovely spring day and I had a networking lunch in the Distillery District. As I was leaving, I noticed the building across the street from the main building with these incredible, old windows and coverings. I take it this was the building where they stored the whiskey before shipping, so it was well protected. It came out well and launched a whole series. Acrylic on canvas. Size: two feet by three feet - sold.
Mall Window
When I started my series, one of the windows I knew I had to paint was a retail image. In January, sitting in the Eaton Centre with my small point and shoot, I found an image that fascinated me. The resonance and balance felt right too. When you think about how much time we spend looking at store windows and the effort involved in getting us to look, it's significant all around. This is probably my favourite painting of the series and I was sad to part with it. Acrylic on canvas. Size: three feet by three feet - sold.
Trinity
A crisp fall day without a cloud in the sky. Sun shining almost horizontally on the horizon and streaming through windows all over the University of Toronto. I wandered around looking for a window image. I found it in the Trinity College Chapel. The usually gray wall was alight with warm colours contrasting with deep shades. I was lucky to capture the moment and knew that it had to be part of the series. This was the viewer favourite as most people seemed to focus their remarks on this one when shown with the others. I guess it leaves a lot to the imagination. Acrylic on canvas. Size: three feet by three feet - sold.
PK @ Zimbel
Sitting in a cafe for a networking chat, I was distracted by a round window. It's rare to see a round window, so I was fascinated by it and stopped paying attention to my companion. Then I brought her into the game by taking her picture on the other side of the window and then she took some of me. This was the first attempt at actual reflections on windows, something that has figured in my window paintings since then. It's a challenging technique that I still cannot fully control, which is perhaps a good thing. BTW, I do smile sometimes... Acrylic on canvas. Size: 30 by 30 inches.
St. George Subway Entrance
Sometimes, I think I should be the official artist for the TTC, transit appears in so much of my work. It was one of those warm summer nights and I was fascinated by the light coming out of the subway station that is pretty much all windows. Its meaning for me is that particular type of urban loneliness filled with people. We are surrounded by light, darkness, others and yet often feel alone. Acrylic on canvas. Size: two feet by four feet.
Subway window
A subway station is inside, yet within that inside, there is the further inside of the subway. So it is a like a Russian doll, insides within insides. In summer 2009, this was one of the images that I was determined to capture and spent time during a few trips trying to find something that captured what I was feeling and searching for. Acrylic on canvas. Size: 24 by 30 inches.
Queen and Yonge
What do windows look like when they are reflected on windows? I looked at a lot of reflected windows and these were the most interesting, you can only just tell they are windows, an interesting combination of both complete order and abstract squiggles. Start looking at windows reflected on windows - you may be fascinated. Acrylic on canvas. Size: 30 by 40 inches.