I had to walk by this spot on the wall several times to get a sense of what I was seeing. This recently closed hot-dog joint was closed and the wall next to it's take out window is being repaired. First by removing the hideous aluminum covering... this is what's underneath: decades of patchwork repairs … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Seven – Giving In To Wabi-Sabi-ness
Montreal Walls Project – Six – Not All Bricks Are Red
Somewhere around the 1970s, the building were getting surfaced with yellow bricks; not bright yellow, of course, which would have been spectacular to see, but these warm, beige bricks with a hint of yellow in them. While the grime of urban pollution could be easier to wash away from these bricks, it seems the graffiti … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Six – Not All Bricks Are Red
Montreal Walls Project – Five – The Old Materials Are Still More Beautiful
This building only recently underwent renovations to the outside of the building. It was covered in ugly and faded aluminum siding from the 1980s. It must have been a pleasant surprise to uncover such beautiful bricks underneath. You may not be able to see them, but a great many repairs have been done to this … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Five – The Old Materials Are Still More Beautiful
Montreal Walls Project – Four – Uncovering Natural Variations (Thank you, Dad!)
While the most common bricks in Montreal are of a warm red, there are also a great many made of a terra cotta mixture. When they are dry, they show only subtle variations in colour, but after the rain has touched them they explode with variations. This wall reminded me of a cherished story my … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Four – Uncovering Natural Variations (Thank you, Dad!)
Montreal Walls Project – Three – Remnants of The Old City
Montreal is over 375 years old and the original city was build with hand hewn stones often quarried near the waterfront. These building stones can still be found in the foundations of the oldest buildings. These look and feel of these stones is so indicative of the architectural history here that you can also see … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Three – Remnants of The Old City
Montreal Walls Project – Two – Wabi-Sabi Reds
To the naked eye, the bricks will appear dulled by pollution and grime, but visit them right after a refreshing rainfall; just before the sun is starting to dry them and you will find the perfect reds: warm, velvety, delicious reds! You will just have to touch them... (Circa October 2019) - Back in the … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Two – Wabi-Sabi Reds
Montreal Walls Project – One (Introduction and the Wabi-Sabi Aesthetic)
(Circa October 2019) - Back in the fall of 2019, when I was still attending classes in person and working in an office, as opposed to my Covid-free basement office, I started walking around the downtown core and noticing the subtle and beautiful effects of age on the walls of my city, Montreal. This coincided … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – One (Introduction and the Wabi-Sabi Aesthetic)
Revisiting Some Unpublished Photos of 2020 – Strength Of Blue
I feel this is the perfect closing image for 2020. Pandemics and insane politics threatened our world and Mother Nature showed her strength and forgiveness by rapidly repairing our follies. The scientist in me knows she always will and she will do it with extreme beauty and unexpected grace, just like this little blue flower. … Continue reading Revisiting Some Unpublished Photos of 2020 – Strength Of Blue
Revisiting Some Unpublished Photos of 2020 – Pushing Boundaries of Differentiation
Yes, I know...yet another photo of my beloved Japanese maple! What can I say? I really love it and get so much joy from the inspiration it delivers. This shot is all about textures for me. I zoomed in as close as I cool and then played with resolutions to get the distortions from the … Continue reading Revisiting Some Unpublished Photos of 2020 – Pushing Boundaries of Differentiation
Revisiting Some Unpublished Photos of 2020 – Natural Contrasts
I grabbed hold of these for a whole different purpose... a natural dyes project. The berries give beautiful blues, purples and greens. The leaves give wonderful browns and greens in very subtle tones. I didn't try to use the stalks... I was told they can be toxic and cause skin irritation. The bark and wood … Continue reading Revisiting Some Unpublished Photos of 2020 – Natural Contrasts
The New Renaissance Mindset 