Goodbye, Summer

September 22nd marks the first day of Autumn. Sad. It always comes too soon. I am saying goodbye to Summer with these memories from one sweet August weekend in Massachusetts with my cousins.

playing in the sand

lakeside beach

a backyard

in the garden

Montréal, Part 3: The Olympic Tower and Biodôme

Built originally for the Summer 1976 Olympic Games, this is the highest inclined tower in the world. It's 175 meters high and has a 45-degree angle. And it's so fun to draw!

On the last day of my Labour Day weekend's trip to Montréal, I went to the Olympic Stadium area, hoping to see and draw all its wonders: the leaning tower, the Biodome, the Botanical Gardens and the Insectarium. Well, that was simply impossible to do in one day! The olympic stadium and it's inclined tower had me hypnotized and drawing outside for a good half of the day alone. By the time I walked out of the Biodome, having watched the feeding of the penguins among other things, and headed towards the Botanic Gardens, the sun was already near horizon. I hope to return to this awesome place again and finish what I set out to see and draw!

Olympic Tower in pastels.

Another side of the Olympic Tower and the Stadium.

Olympic tower in pastels.

What's inside the Biodome: rooms with micro-climats from around the globe, with living flora and fauna. It's like a museum of natural history, an aquarium, a zoo and a botanic garden all at once! I have never seen anything like it and absolutely loved it.

Kids watching penguins swim behind glass. Penguins are equally interested in their audience. Too cute to handle!

Feeding of the penguins inside the Biodome

Montréal, Part 2: Saint Joseph's Oratory

Basilica of Saint Joseph's Oratory on top of Mount Royal and its surrounding landscape remotely resemble Montmartre in Paris. This is the biggest church in Canada. I spent a nice day sightseeing and drawing there over the Labour Day weekend.

View of Montréal from the top of Saint Joseph's Oratory.

View of Saint Joseph's Oratory from Brother Andre's church museum. 

Montréal, Part 1: Old Port and Old City.

Sunset over Montréal's Old Port

I spent the Labour Day weekend in la ville aux cent clochers (the city of a hundred steeples). Mark Twain once said, "This is the first time I was ever in a city where you couldn't throw a brick without breaking a church window."  He is right! Here are some drawings of Ville-Marie aka Montréal, Canada. Such a beautiful and history-rich place to draw!

Night view of Côte de la Place d'Armes / Ruelle des Fortifications with Notre-Dame Basilica peaking in the distance

Notre-Dame Basilica. One of the four Roman Catholic basilicas in Montreal
Top right: flag of Montreal with symbols taken from the coat of arms. It represents 4 main European ethnic groups that were settled in the city in the 19th century. Fleur-de-lys for the French, who were the original settles of Ville-Marie. Rose of Lancaster for the English and the Welsh. Shamrock for the Irish. Thistle for the Scots. 

Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral.
One of the four Roman Catholic basilicas in Montreal. 

The Historic Museum in Old Montreal, with horse-driven carriages that give tourists rides on cobble-stone streets.

View of Old Montreal from an abandoned railroad along the river.

Old Montreal. 

Bustling streets of Old Montreal. A fond memory of delicious crepes I ate that evening is forever embedded in this drawing!

The Sailor's Memorial Clock

The tower is dedicated  to the Canadian Sailors who died in the First World War. 

Statue of the Virgin as Star of the Sea atop one of the oldest churches in Montreal. The church, "Our Lady of the Harbour", is known as the Sailor's Church, overlooking the harbor and giving "good help" for safe sea voyages. 

"Water Colors" Ambient Video Screening Event

"Water Colors" Sept. 25th 2013 @ 7:30pm Screening Invitation

You are invited Wednesday Evening on Sept. 25 at 7:30pm to Dassara Bar & Restaurant (Brooklyn, New York) for a screening of “Water Colors”, an ambient video installation by collaborating artists Julia Sverchuk and Eddie Peña. “Water Colors” transforms Dassara space into a beautiful underwater experience!  

 Join this unique screening event with a live DJ session, and meet the artists. 

DASSARA  271 SMITH STREET, BROOKLYN (BETWEEN DEGRAW AND SACKETT)

 (no cover/no rsvp)