"Daylight" -- Gary Evans at Paul Petro

 Gary Evans is showing new paintings at Paul Petro Contemporary Art on Queen West.

 William Kimber and I are big fans of Evans' work. We knew he would be in the gallery today so went by to say hello and see the new stuff.

Gary told us he started this series six months ago when the pandemic started. Here is our artist, posing for several visitors at once, standing in front of "Sunshine and Daylight".

Gary told us this rather monochromic work was one of the first he painted when the pandemic was still new and scary, "Untitled 2020".  

I love this detail.

 Gary told us that as he relaxed a bit and got out for walks the colour began to creep back in. Here's "Dayfall"

I always look closely at Evans' paintings. The details are always rewarding.

This vision seems midway between a clam and an ear.

Kimber and I both loved this little shed overwhelmed by vegetation. That was our summer alright!

We were very inspired by this display of industry in the face of adversity. Evans explained to another visitor that his teaching usually keeps him away from the studio. Finding himself with time to work he got to it. You can see the brilliant results for yourself until October 10th, 2020.

William Kimber Walking

I was making a birthday card for Bill this year and I came across my "Bill Walking" file. 

Something wonderfully distinctive in his silhouette. Almost like a character in a graphic or comic book. Here's Bill in 2008, passing a Giacometti at MOMA.

Saul Lewitt wall-work in New York, 2011

Again at MOMA, New York, in September, 2013

Queen Street West, Toronto in November, 2013

in the Marais in Paris in June, 2015

on the steps to the beach in Sperlonga on the Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy, in June, 2016

in the Marais in Paris in June, 2018

Into via Bergamaschi, Rome in May, 2019. It was our last day in Rome. I think of this one as "We're outta here!"

 *  *  *

Here's how the card turned out.

How Spring Came to Toronto in 2020

Whatever we end up saying about the arrival of Spring in Toronto in 2020 

we will agree that the cool, wet weather encouraged the lushest possible vegetation. 

Bulbs came up in April and instead of disappearing in a few days the flowers lasted for weeks. 

The shrubs flowered and the flowers lasted and lasted.

 All through April and May Toronto has been a paradise in blossom.

Also flourishing in Toronto, and around the world, is a new strand of Corona Virus. When Bill and I understood that masks might protect others from ourselves, he sewed a pair from two of my father's vintage cotton handkerchiefs.

 Gorgeous spring light accompanied us on our walks as the streets emptied.

 Was interesting to see local streets without cars parked everywhere.

Bill and I continued our habit of going out once a day 

for groceries or a take-out lunch. Thanks for all the sandwiches, Jay!

We were so happy that Saffron stayed open.

Thanks for all the curries, Johnne! 

 The wet season kept us off our bikes and so we rediscovered the pleasures of Toronto on foot.

 I did miss doing the rounds of my favourite record shops. 

When would I be able to browse for treasures again?  

 I was surprised to see a box outside Toronto Western Hospital soliciting donations of personal protective equipment for hospital staff. Thought the provincial government provided these.

As we got into our third month of sheltering in place we were excited to see any signs of shops and restaurants re-opening. 

 Halfway through May two record stores re-opened. I was among the first in line to enter the scrupulously sterilized premises -- and found myself a treasure (vintage German electronica -- woo hoo!)

 Spring is turning to early summer now.

It has certainly been the prettiest Spring on record. 

Now we'll see what June is going to throw at us.

A Day Without Shadows

Walking in the rain 

or after the rain 

has been one of the delights of this mild spring. 

 The light arrives

filtered through layers of cloud

 

grateful to fall to earth

 and make it visible.

Afterward, the light can relax

having done its work.

Softer colours peek out.

After the rain

bright colours

pop.

Lawns crackle and snap.

Hey, Bill and I are home. What a nice walk.

Have to compliment the person who looks after this pot.