when we were growing up we used to shortcut thru neighbours backyards to get to friends & the mothers all kept an eye out for / on all of us, nobody had any worries. to day the moms are all working, the backyards which were open are now walled off with 6 to 8 foot high wooden fences, and optically rendered even smaller having been filled in in with the wooden walkout 2nd story and rooftop decks. not complaining mind you. everything has changed  including concept of privacy. as such have been wandering the laneways of our city looking for those few places which have not as yet answered the call to renovate and wall-up visual access to their backyards, and been making paintings of them, almost a historical endeavour in a way. i still find the laneways a step away from the noise n hustle of the city; a step into pure silence in the middle of the city; a place were i can be alone, feel the silence, and reach up and touch the ends of the universe.

 

Day full of blue skies and a lot else 18″ x 12.5″ watercolour / acrylic                       painted directly on gessoed panel

 

 

 

 

 

east end weekday 19″ x 22.5″  watercolour / acrylic painted directly on gessoed panel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

laneway crossing tecumseth 16″ x 16″  watercolour / acrylic painted directly on gessoed panel 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

red chairs 12″ x 9″                                                                                       watercolour / acrylic painted directly on gessoed panel 

 

winter cyclist / laneway off yonge street  12″ x 12″                                       watercolour / acrylic painted directly on gessoed panel