When I was in Yorkville and wandering about after viewing the ice sculptures, I spotted yet another mermaid although not an ice one but rather one made from recycled materials. She is the work of Patrick Amiot who sculpts the pieces and Brigitte Laurent who paints them. Originally from Montreal, the couple is now based in California where they produce their "junk-art" sculptures. I quite like her!
Last weekend the Yorkville neighbourhood hosted its 9th Annual Icefest in the commercial area along Cumberland St and the adjoining Yorkville Park. The theme this year was 'Heat Wave' which seemed to influence a lot of the artists to create mermaids and tropical birds but I quite liked this diver floating above some coral along with a tortoise companion and a few fish. It was a cold day but the sun was strong so some of the details were starting to soften.
The philosophy of Calvin & Hobbes as found on a fence along Graffiti Lane near the cold elephant from Monday's post. There always seemed to be words of wisdom in that comic strip!
Taking part in Signs, Signs. Click here for more signs.
This old oak tree is located at the top of the stairs leading to Casa Loma just beside where the photographer of my post 2 days ago was set up. In the summer it seems to always be full of birds and even on this day I could hear Cardinals tweeting but was unable to spot them. I really like the convoluted branches of the tree.
It was actually above 0˚C last week when I spotted this poor little guy in the snow along Graffiti Lane off Queen St West. He does look as if he is shivering a bit, don't you think, with all that snow around his feet!
Taking part in Monday Murals. Click here for more murals.
I had just climbed up the stairs leading to Casa Loma (110 of them!) when I happened upon this fellow with a tripod set up and he was attaching his large format camera to it. I presume he was after a pic of the CN Tower through the branches but things didn't seem to be going well so I didn't disturb him!
A common sight around Toronto has been icicles hanging precariously from rooftops where the sun has melted the snow a bit but not enough for it to totally run off. In some places it can be quite dangerous and it looks as if one would have to watch out when approaching the porch of this house which is located a couple of blocks away from yesterday's house.
I showed this house in the summer of 2010, here, and since it has always been one of my favourites in the city I thought I would show it as it looked last week in the snow. Built in 1913 for the Dinwoody family, it is a wonderful example of the Arts & Crafts movement of design. If you go to the link, check out the comment that was added in 2012 by someone who grew up in the house!
It is finally starting to warm up a bit here but last week even with the sun out the snow was not melting around Casa Loma. I have rarely seen snow on its roof but it was there this year as well as on the stone wall!
A local chiropractor always has a sign with an interesting phrase displayed in his window for passing traffic to read and I particularly like this one!
Taking part in Signs, Signs. Click here for more signs.
I was out for a wander on a sunny day (finally) and passed by Spadina House which is a historic manor adjacent to Casa Loma and which is now owned by the city and is operated as a museum. The lovely old greenhouse looked particularly inviting as it glowed in the sunshine so I headed into the gardens for a pic. The greenhouse was built in 1913 as a place to winter over the outdoor plants from the house and also to start new seedlings, both of which uses continue today.
I'm back to Peperonata Lane where we have seen some great murals and this is yet another one by Elicser whose work I have shown a few times. His work always seems to have a story to it but I usually can't figure out what that is so just enjoy!
Taking part in Monday Murals. Click here for more murals.
I'm back into my archives for this pic of a fine old church, St Denys, Walmgate in York Yorkshire, taken on my trip last fall. It is a very old church, built in the 14th & 15th centuries and was actually quite a bit larger but sections have collapsed through the centuries and its spire was hit by cannon shot during the Civil War and was then struck by lightening so had to be removed in the 18th century. The stained glass has survived and it has some of the oldest glass in York. It was a rather dull day when I was there and my pics of the glass didn't work unfortunately.
Taking part in Inspired Sunday. Click here for more religious buildings.
It was just before sunset when I took this pic and I was hoping for some colour in the winter sky but had no luck. There was just a hint of pink as the sky turned dark and the snow-covered roofs disappeared into the night.
Two to work and three to watch seems typical of many work sites but I assume they need a spotter for each man in the buckets and a supervisor to direct things. I liked the symmetry of the whole set-up.
Everything looks so beautiful in the city right after a snowfall and before the snow gets dirty. It's a great time to wander about with a camera!
I was parked right in front of this sign but luckily I was a customer. It did give me a big smile!
Taking part in Signs, Signs. Click here for more signs.
The world is a quiet place after a snow storm with all the sounds being absorbed by the fluffy stuff, at least until the snow plows arrive and everyone gets out with their shovels. Then small streets like this become scenes of great activity as we try to dig out our cars and clear the sidewalks. We have had too many days like this, this winter!
This is yet another mural from Peperonata Lane, the location of the fierce kitty and the Lego man murals that I posted a couple of weeks ago. This one was painted by the artist Fiya on the gate leading into a backyard parking area. Isn't it wonderful!
Taking part in Monday Murals. Click here for more murals.
This is the "First Church of Christ, Scientist" which is found on St George St in the Annex neighbourhood. The church was founded in Toronto in 1889 and this building, designed by Chicago architect Solon S Beman, was built in 1916. I have passed this church hundreds of times and never dreamt that it was that old - it is always meticulously maintained and looks as clean as if it was built 6 months ago. I would love to see the inside!
Taking part in Inspired Suday. Click here to see more religious buildings.
I have a new little neighbour named Willy who is just 13 weeks old and who tried his very best to stay still while having his photo taken. Cute as a button, he was trying to eat snow along one of the laneways while at the same time greeting everyone he saw. There is nothing like a puppy!
This is the final piece of the very long mural by the artists Faile that has been done on Bathurst St and here we find 2 rolls of Faile candy. The whole mural is a definite improvement over the tagging but I for one need an artist statement to figure it all out. Maybe we are just meant to enjoy the visuals?
As we head further up the hill on Bathurst St the mural becomes more mysterious than ever. I have no idea what it all means but have to admit that I like all the images. I will show you one more piece of this puzzling mural tomorrow.
The next section of the Bathurst mural by Faile is open to any interpretation you might have. Perhaps the child is dreaming of the toys? And the black dog has made another appearance.
I'm not really sure of the significance of all the images and phrases in this mural but apparently the black dog found on the side of the car is a trademark of the artists, Faile. The car is quite suitable here since it is a busy street and I had to wait for small breaks in the traffic to get any pics of the mural.
A retaining wall along Bathurst St has been awakened by a mural running for hundreds of feet up the hill north of Davenport, hence the title for this post since despierta means awake in Spanish. This wall has been the site for mindless tagging over the years and so the city commissioned the Brooklyn artists known as Faile to produce a mural for the space. Faile is actually Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller although they designed the piece and sent other artists to paint it. I will show more of this very long work over the next few days.
Taking part in Monday Murals. Click here for more murals.
This is the church where you find the entrance from yesterday's post. The Church was founded in 1818 but this bGothic Revival building wasn't constructed until 1875. The interior is quite unusual since it has an amphitheatre shape which fits perfectly into this corner site. I love the copper spire which rises 165 ft above the corner main entrance.
Taking part in Inspired Sunday. Click here to see more religious buildings from around the world.
This is one of the side entrances found on the Jarvis Street Baptist Church in downtown Toronto. The Church itself was built in 1875 but this entrance wasn't added until 1939 during a massive renovation of the church. Note the gargoyles on each side of the entrance and the 3 stained glass windows which are found over each of the eight doors leading into the church.
Taking part in the City Daily Photo Theme day. Click here for more entries from around the world.
