Birdbrain

I’m still in Montreal and it’s cold and icy–but this is still one of my favourite cities. This morning we all went to a great spot, Paquebot, a coffee shop on Rue Belanger, close by my son’s house. It is such a treat to be in an independent café with a unique decor and a personal touch. And a bonus for sketching–their china and much of their decor, are my favourite colour. And — oh yes– the coffee and scones were delicious! 

Here we are walking home with the birdbrain tote/diaper bag in action

And here is a sketch from yesterday in Westmount. I was sitting in a café and sketched what I could see out the window. I stayed long enough to have two cappuccinos, the second one in a red cup! It’s far too cold and windy to sketch outside, so it’s great to find a café with a view of interesting buildings. I am enamoured with so many of Montreal’s turn-of-the-century structures.

We are in Montreal staying for a week. We have a new family member! So admiring and cuddling are first on the agenda but there is also time to wander the city and do some sketches. It was a dark grey day yesterday, snowing hard, and then it turned to freezing rain, so most of this sketch was done back at the flat. Tomorrow it promises sun, so looking forward to doing some sketches on site. And to heading on the subway to my favourite art store! Will keep you posted.

Meanwhile, this sketch from last week in Belleville was done in the full sun of a winter day.

It is -24C today outside my house and, with the windchill it feels like -33C. So that is very cold. And yet the winter sun is spectacular and casts such a lovely light on everything. I have not been here in February for five years and I am enjoying it very much. Each day gets a little longer as we creep towards spring. Below scenes on my street and downtown done in my 5″ x 8″ Pentalic sketchbook.

Here are some random pages from my sketchbook. I have been thinking about windows and overall composition. I love sketching buildings, but I often am so eager to get it right, the proportions etc., that I forget that it is about composition as much or more than it is about accuracy. In fact I am coming to realize that accuracy is less important than I thought. Anyway here are some pages of learning randomly taken from my Pentalic sketchbook which is nearly finished.

Window pane experiment…sitting in a great café in Hamilton with my long-time friend, talking, drinking latte and fooling around with colour. 

Last week I was in Campbellford on a beautiful sunny day. I’ve always loved this town on the Trent River and especially its fire hall which was built in 1889. I found a parking spot just across from it and sketched it from my car.  Before I left I drove over to check the date on the heritage plaque. I was surprised to learn that the fire station is still in active use, although the fire fighter I spoke to said a new station is being built and soon this may be a restaurant. I certainly hope they maintain the unique exterior–the tower and onion dome are wonderful.

Prior to that I was in St. Catherine’s to visit the brick and mortar shop of two Canadian designers I like very much. We had a great visit there and then went to a cafe for a quick sketch.  As I’ve said here before, I try to buy handmade goods or great barely-used clothing (more on my favourite spot for that in another post). I really believe in supporting local designers whose work is of such good quality and who make great wearable designs.

…and I think I am obsessed with small town towers.

and windows…this is an incredible building in a small town near my house. I want to take the time soon to do more of it. In the meantime practising windows.