Stop and Smell the Flowers

Location: Lane off Natalie Place

Date photo taken: 21 February 2022

I know that it's not spring yet and that there are still plenty of cold days ahead, but the weather on the weekend provided a little taste of things to come. Soon we'll all have the option to stop and smell the flowers. This mural is by illustrator Natalie V. Bochenska, also known as Natalie Very B.

 

171 Eastern

 

Location: 171 Eastern Avenue

Date photo taken: 6 July 2020

Last year lots of people in the city were reading about the Foundry, a grouping of historic buildings formerly occupied by the Dominion Wheel & Founderies Company. The Province had ordered the demolition of the buildings, all of which were included on the City of Toronto's Inventory of Heritage Properties, to make way for a new housing development. Thanks to quick action by a group of concerned citizens, demolition was halted and discussions have resulted in two of the four structures being retained. They will be incorporated into a new design for the site. This building was not one of the lucky ones. It's not surprising and few will miss it, but I have always loved this building. Built in 1930 to house the Foundry offices, it was really quite ordinary. But ordinary can be pleasant, especially when ordinary no longer equates with common. The new plans look exciting though, and I can't wait to explore the revitalized space.

Control No Control

 

Location: Harbourfront Centre

Date photo taken: 9 February 2022

I used to really look forward to the Toronto Light Festival. Brightening up our long January nights with light-based art installations seemed brilliant. That tradition is back in a new form. Harbourfront Centre and Fjord Studio out of Norway are co-presenting Nordic Lights, a series of pieces by Canadian and Nordic artists. There are six in total, a mix of physical works and projection-based art. You can follow the provided map, or just wander through the park and discover each for yourself. Pictured here is Control No Control by Montreal-based studio Iregular. It's mesmerizing to stand back and watch, but if you're more hands on, it also reacts to touch.

Bell Box - Neighbourhoodie

 

Location: Wellington Street West at Niagara

Date photo taken: 11 November 2021

Image #14 in the Bellbox Series

Here's another Bell Box painted through Community Matters and their street art program. It was done in 2018 by Toronto-based illustrator Tak Bui. 

I love to discover these mini murals as I wander around the city, but if you wanted to plan a walk, there is now a map available showing the locations of the more than 450 boxes painted to date.