Oil on canvas.

24x30"

Built in 1895 by Curry, Baker and Company Architects, the Philip Jamieson Clothier Outfitter at 2 Queen Street West, looks brand-new after six years of restoration. The original address was 180 Yonge Street. It was later purchased and became known as the FW Woolworth Building from 1913. With new ownership drastic modifications included covering the facade completely with bland grey cladding. A succession of short-term retailers filled the space after Woolworth’s departed in 1980.

With new ownership in 1985, planning began for restoration of the aging landmark building. The uninteresting cladding was peeled back and the process of salvaging and reconstruction began. Additional floors were added above by Zeidler Partnership Architects, assisted by the restoration firm ERA Architects.

Oil on canvas.

24x36"

Barcelona Hermosa
Hermosa is Spanish for Beautiful
Location: Barri Gòtic (Gothic District), Barcelona

Exploring the winding alleys of Barcelona’s Gothic District is an adventure and can result in found treasure. This small rustic space is definitely a gem. It serves up luxuriously decadent offerings of chocolate: thick hot chocolate better consumed with a spoon or used as a dipping for fresh, hot churros.

While enjoying this atmosphere her thoughts wind back to the walks through the Gaudi Park Guell (the mosaic tiles, and famous lizard known as “El Drac” or the dragon). A poster of the famous Gaudi chimney pots at Casa Mila is placed on the side of the counter.

Oil on canvas.

30x24"

End of fishing season gear management: The catch was plentiful and spirits are high. These fishermen are rinsing off their valuable nets and getting them ready for storage. This scene is in Brigus Newfoundland where traditional fishing methods live on.

Oil on canvas.

24x30"

Oil on canvas.

36x36"

Oil on canvas.

30x30"

Oil on canvas.

36x24"

Oil on canvas.

30x40"

Walk pretty much anywhere in downtown St. John's and you'll be walking down Jellybean Row. Victoria Street is just one of these whimsical, historical, rows of multi coloured homes.

Oil on canvas.

48x36"

The Irish culture is full of folklore and myths. The sidhe (wee folk, fairies) have many entrances to the otherworld such as in burial mounds, under water and even at the base of Fairy Trees. These gateways are extremely important for the movement of the wee folk so they are heavily protected by magic. Some believe if you damage or cut down a Fairy Tree you’ll be faced with a life of bad luck. People leave prayers, gifts or personal tokens attached to the tree branches in the hope of receiving healing, good fortune or having a wish come true.

Oil on canvas.

30x48"

Naples is an enigma, a place that stirs quick emotions. Its Old Town is a tangled web of tiny, narrow streets and alley ways. Look up: you see laundry hanging from most balconies. Look down: watch your step, there is uneven or broken pavement instead of sidewalks. Look around: the vertical landscape is covered with graffiti. Every available space is a canvas for expression in words and illustrations. Stop, listen: loud voices and Vespa motors echo up to the highest floors of the congested living quarters. It is the good, the bad and the ugly of all cities.

Oil on canvas.

36x48"

Old Delhi or Purani Dilli, capital of India, is a tangle of ancient streets and alleyways. The best way to explore this oldest area of Delhi is by rickshaw or on foot.
Hinduism considers cows to be sacred. As they roam the streets freely, breakfast and care are provided to these deeply respected creatures.
Above the congested streets and alleyways is a canopy of dangerously tangled electricity cables. The local people are happy to get a cable across from anywhere for their convenience and not particularly legally connected but free power use.

Oil on canvas.

36x48"

Hearst Castle Grounds
San Simeon, California
La Cuesta Encantada, “The Enchanted Hill” high above the ocean at San Simeon, was the creation of two extraordinary individuals, William Randolph Hearst and architect Julia Morgan.
The natural beauty, golden glow, of the property leading up to the grounds of the fairy tale castle was visually inspiring.

Oil on canvas (framed).

40x30"

Old quarter or “36 Old Streets”
Everything all around is always moving, on wheels, scooters, motor bikes, cars, bicycles, coming at you from every direction.
There are very few traffic signs and no visible speed limits.
Beep, “behind you.” Beep, “passing you.” Beep,”go ahead.”
Beep, “thank you.” BEEP “out of my way.”
A city of constant activity, day and night.

Oil on canvas (framed).

36x24"

Siem Reap, Cambodia
Ankor Wat
Ta Prohm
Bantreay Srei

• Angkor meaning: “city”
• Vishnu, Hindu, Buddhist
• Faith and the abode of ancient gods
• Fusion of creative ambition and spiritual devotion
Angkor Watt remains an active spiritual and pilgrimage site for Buddhists. Unfortunately uninformed tourists, with cameras, cell phones, radios and loud enthusiasm, often disrespect the sanctity of this place of worship.
The white monkey, suggesting purity, is a sad observer.

Oil on canvas.

36x48"

The Andean people of Peru celebrate Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the three pachas (worlds).
The three levels of existence are Hana Pacha (the upper world inhabited by the superior gods), Kay Pacha, (the world of our everyday existence) and Ukhu or Urin Pacha (the underworld inhabited by spirits of the dead, the ancestors, their overlords and various deities having close contact to the Earth plane).

The upper world represents the future, the middle world is the present, and the lower world is the past. One goes through each stage of life from birth to death.

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS IN THIS PAINTING:
CHAKANA: Illustrated within the rock is a “Chakana” cross, representing the three stages of Inca life. It is also said to represent Cusco, the center of the Incan empire, and the Southern Cross constellation.
HERDING LLAMAS: The llama was tamed by the Ancient Andean peoples some 5,000 years ago. It has continued to be used for food and as a pack animal.
OFFERING TO MOTHER EARTH: Ancient Andean ceremony for Pachamama is represented in the lower right-hand corner. The Shaman sets up a sacred mandala starting with a llama-wool blanket knitted especially for these rituals, then small offerings representing what Mother Earth has provided are arranged. The ritual is more than a thank you to Pachamama for all that she provides. The Shaman asks that we walk as one with her and care for her because we are all a part of her, she is the Cosmos.

Oil on canvas (framed).

20x24"

Nearly every window (and shutters) in the south of France are painted this particular blue: unmistakable, milky, thick and luminous.

Oil on canvas (framed).

18x18"

This image captures in its details the geology of the area and the architectural history. Limestone has been quarried in Provence France since the Roman era. The patina of the shutters is as rich and reflective as copper.

Oil on canvas (framed).

30x30"

• Concrete faced with Trajan brick
• Adorned with white Pentelic marble (Greek marble)
• Originally a temple to all the Gods
• Converted to a church
The Pantheon was for centuries a source of materials, the marble for new buildings. The contrast of the white marble and the ancient underlying brick inspired this detail of a very important historical Roman structure.

Oil on canvas.

36x48"

Coimbra, a riverfront city in central Portugal and the country’s former capital, is home to a preserved medieval old town and the historic University of Coimbra. Rich in history, progressive student ideals, colourful nightlife, blossoming art scene, 2019 Coimbra is frayed around the edges but recovering from economic challenges.
Economic crisis (2007-2008), followed by the financial bailout from the EU (2011) and extreme austerity measures seemed to be in the past. The year 2014 marked the start of the recovery of the Portuguese economy with increases in investments, exports, tourism. 2020 and COVID-19 took progress and the wellbeing of the population backwards.
As is the case worldwide in university towns students take on jobs as servers to help pay for tuition. The elder woman in the upstairs window has seen the good times and the bad.

Oil on canvas (framed).

24x30"

Avignon, Provence, France
• Quiet, hidden residential courtyard
• Signs of medieval prosperity/affluence
• Located in Avignon’s “Exchange” quarter
• Smoke damage to the porous limestone
• Oxidized bronze bell, beauty with age
The bell has the glow of an emerald in the soft light

Oil on canvas.

36x36"

Detail of a city home in Lisbon was inspired by the sunny day during a wander in a quiet neighbourhood. The sunny yellow, the well worn entrance to a residence with two well cared for potted trees welcoming any guests.

Oil on canvas.

36x60"

Location: Japan’s Sagano Bamboo Forest on the outskirts of Kyoto
The painting is a montage of elements of Japanese culture:
- Central female figure is an Oiran. These well-dressed women were high-ranking glamorous courtesans in Japanese society. The tradition started in Edo period (1600-1868). At the time Oiran was seen as an entertainer and a superstar. The fashionable Oiran was usurped in the 18th and 19th centuries by Geisha.
- The Japanese zen garden or “dry landscape” garden, creates a miniature stylized landscape through carefully composed arrangements of rocks, water features, pruned trees and bushes, and uses gravel or sand that is raked to represent ripples in water.
- Koi fish symbolize good luck, abundance and perseverance.
- The shimenawa is a special rope tied around or across an object or space to denote its sanctity or purity. This bamboo forest surrounds one soft sounds, light, peace: a spiritual experience.
- Thunder Gate Lamp, Kaminarimon Gate, entrance to Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo. An intricate dragon-shaped wooden carving adorns the base of the gateway’s red lantern. This dragon lived in water and was revered as a god that could save Asakusa from fire with its power over water.

Oil on canvas.

24x36"

Pre 2023 earthquake this woman going about her daily routine in the Marrakesh medina had no idea of what destruction was to come.

Majorelle Blue is a vibrant, intense shade of blue that captures the essence of the exotic and the artistic. This striking color was named after the French artist Jacques Majorelle, who used it extensively in his works and in the famous Majorelle Garden in Marrakech. This vibrant blue is a much-used accent colour throughout the city.

Ancient Marrakech is a soft, warm pink. The earth is dry, and any breeze kicks up that sparkling pink dust.

The garden spaces are important to the daily lives of this ancient city. The word "riad" is for the traditional home with its enclosed courtyard with orange and olive trees and tinkling fountain.

Oil on canvas.

48x48"

After a breathless climb up an endless staircase in Cusco this weather worn door stands against the elements. The woman carrying her goods shows the strength of the Inca lineage. From this top level of the city we are looking at the rooftops, mountains and stair access.