Having spent a good deal of time living in city apartments, I’ve had to rely on public spaces to get outside for air. I’ve had many picnics, afternoons reading on blankets, and coffee meetups in city parks and squares. And when I travel, I look for accommodation near these types of spaces, too.

Basically, I love a good park bench with a view!

So it comes as no surprise that I’ve painted a number of my favourite parks and piazzas. Last year, I painted miniatures of two of my favourite Canadian spots: Place Jacques-Cartier in Montreal, and Canoe Landing Park in Toronto.

I grew up an hour away from Montreal and as a child, I often visited this square in Old Montreal. I remember thinking how exotic it was, compared to my industrial city nearby. It looked like it was plucked out of another time, retaining much of its French origins. Flowers everywhere in summer, terrific benches to people-watch and eat ice cream cones, and artisan stalls dotting the long pedestrian mall. I recall eating at the restaurant with the blue awning (on the right) as a young teenager with family, feeling very grown up – white tablecloths, wine glasses for water and 2 forks!

The last time I was in this square was for my son and daughter-in-law’s wedding weekend. Visits to this place have been so memorable that I wanted to capture it in ink and watercolour.

In Toronto’s downtown core, amongst a fortress of high rise buildings, is Canoe Landing Park – a very different type of city park but one that I love for its whimsical ode to Canadiana. There is a famous canoe sculpture at one end and a water park with colourful fishing bobbers at the other, with lots of green space, a bluff and an artsy beaver dam in between – doesn’t this sound so Canadian! While I haven’t lived in this area, I have talked with several people who do, and they are so thankful that this park provides them with space to escape their glass towers. And even though this park also has a highway running along one side of it, it still feels like a retreat space. Then there is that incredible view of the CN Tower!

I’ve painted this park a few times now, as I’ve been so impressed with it as it is so much more than a green space with a few trees and benches. It’s filled with thoughtful, patriotic and humorous details. Stop in for a walkabout and to wet your toes if you visit Toronto!

I’m sure there are more public spaces to be painted in my future as I’m so curious to experience the places where people meet!

What are some of your favourite public meeting spots?

As of the writing of this blogpost, both paintings are still available at my shop here.