South of the Distillery
JUNE 2009 | Acrylic on Canvas | 12″ x 16″
The view south from the main square of Toronto’s now touristified Distillery District reveals a scene that looks almost as industrial as it was several decades ago. In this painting there are a number of focal points. Looming in the distance are the silos of the Victory Soya Mill, opened in 1946 and operational until 1991. Dominating the center of the painting is the eastern end of the elevated Gardiner Expressway, much maligned for cutting off Toronto’s downtown core from the waterfront. Finally, in the foreground are bright orange rail cars sitting idle on a siding, filled with gravel and surrounded by discarded railway ties and scrubby vegetation.
I took this photo a couple months ago when the grass had just turned green but the trees were still leafless. The setting sun was giving everything a yellowish glow and making the orange rail cars shine. This painting has an unusual composition which I think works okay. [map].
Since this painting is fairly big I have also uploaded a larger version that shows more detail.
Posted June 12th, 2009 at 8:30am
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:47 pm
i do love these. thanks for sharing.
August 24th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Great work Gary. Your parents were up visiting at out cottage this weekend. We had a good time singing all the old songs.
Take care and if you;re in the area be sure to see us. Actually we may be down again in October.
Jim & Sharon