Sun soakin bulges in the shade.

I used to think I’d hold out well under torture until I had gastroscopy without anaesthetic. It was like being attacked by the alien facehugger. A rigid metal tube down the esophagus provoking the suffocation reflex (despite airflow to lungs) for 5mins which felt like 5 weeks. I was an absolute mess until they gave me nitrous gas for the colonoscopy, then it was relatively painless intoxication.

For Achilles, time wounds all heels.

Also as you said it really makes sense that you’re more connected to the USA, what with the largest population centre sticking down into great lakes by Detroit, Chicago, Rochester. Met some Chicagoans in Kensington bars.

Legal weed and… possibly mushrooms was the biggest surprise.

Left Ottawa for Montreal today. Was in Toronto about 3 days but going back for 5 days after I see Montreal, then the long flight home.

I was very impressed with the variety in Toronto a lot more ethnicities and cultures than back in my small city.

Never been to North America before and wasn’t quite prepared for the scale of buildings - closest we have is London/Birmingham/Manchester. I’m a bit acrophobic so I had to stay away from the bay and centre but everything else is … fantastic especially older buildings. I’ve never seen a Little Portugal before, want to see Koreatown and Kim’s Convenience before I go. Feels like half the world has come to stay.

The little 3 story houses with porch and basement are lovely, they’re also painting and decorated more individually. Planning on seeing the parks and more of Kensington Market too. Plenty to sketch (high park was great).

I think that would be too convenient for me ;) Unless there’s something I’ve missed I thought it’s just for those born in Canada, or can you pass it on? His father (from Penzance in UK) was editing an army paper for Canadian troops about 1917, then went to Toronto to work for the Telegram (folded in 1971 when Star and Globe sold a lot more issues!). Charles was born in 1920 and the family moved back to UK when he was aged 3 - couldn’t find where he was born, but worked out the Telegram was on Bay and Melinda. Now Melinda St. is shorter and massive office complex and food court sits on the site.

Also the Telegram was very conservative and liked to emphasise Canada as part of “The Empire”, very different times indeed. We also don’t really think about the Royal Family in the UK except for distracting the poor, and selling tabloids, just ceremonial.

Hehe, I forgot that was even a thing. My grandad was born in Toronto and moved to England aged 3… he only left the country once in WW2 but still retained Canadian citizenship.

Thanks for the advice, unfortunately I’m just visiting from the UK. I’d definitely come back though when I can afford it. So much to see in Toronto alone.

Now you’ve told me I’m going to pay a visit next week :)

AGO, I’m going to national gallery in a day or so (Ottawa right?)

Harris did like to paint big, I was also impressed with the vibrancy of the colours close up particularly the blues - holdong up well over a century.

This painting is about the size of a big postcard ~ 4x7" but the detail really grabbed me.

I’d never heard of him until I visited the AGO in Toronto really caught my eye. As usual a lot of paintings are way bigger than I guessed, but the winter hare I posted is only size of a postcard!

Got to love Remington so dynamic - up there with C. M. Russell. Thanks for keeping this going. I’ve seen some amazing art up close on vacation and may well add some more.

Cyclist and crow (1981)

Los Angeles is a very big village.

For fox sake!

Thank you.

I had no idea DeNiros dad was an artist. I had a similar realisation watching Liquorice Pizza in 2022 and realised the waterbed salesman is played by DiCaprio senior - an accomplished but less known comix artist… who just happens to be the father of one of the most famous actors on earth.

Wow,.that’s some playful art. I might post to the community.