Four Urban Sketchers of Montreal gathered together today to paint in Place D’Armes in Old Montreal. Place D’Armes is the second oldest public site in Montreal and dates back from 1693. In front of us was the Notre. Dame Basilica gothic revival style architecture (1672), Saint. Sulpice Seminary (1657) which is the oldest edifice in Montreal, the Bank of Montreal’s head office (1817) which is the oldest bank in Canada, New York Life Insurance building (1887) and finally the art deco Aldred building (1931) which resembles the NYC Empire State building which was completed in the same year. Even though I painted parts of some of these buildings and roofs, it architecture surrounding us was quite impressive and beautiful.
I have not painted nor drawn for more than a week and I felt quite rusty… and painting today did its amazing work and quieted and soothed my mind while creating a balm for the soul… which has been in a whirlwind of thoughts and of letting go’s. Last Sunday, my beloved 88 year old scottish father Dorland died, letting his head fall on my Mom’s shoulder during Mass at the Notre. Dame de Lourdes Sanctuary in Rigaud.
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Quatre sketchers urbains de Montréal se sont rencontrés aujourd’hui pour peindre à la Place D’Armes dans le Vieux-Montréal. Cet endroit est magnifique en histoire. En-avant de nous il y avait la Basilique Notre-Dame (1672), le Séminaire Saint-Sulpice qui est le plus vieux bâtiment de Montréal (1657), le siège social de la Banque de Montréal (1817), l’édifice art déco Aldred (1931) qui est très similaire au Empire State Building à NYC et qui date de la même année, et bien d’autres.
Je n’avais pas peint depuis plus d’une semaine et j’étais bien rouillée, et le fait de peindre m’a donnée ses effets bénéfiques… entre autre de calmer mes esprits et d’agir comme un baume sur l’âme. J’en avais bien besoin car mon père bien-aimé est mort dimanche passé au Sanctuaire de Notre-Dame de Lourdes à Rigaud, pendant la messe. Sa tête est tout simplement tombée sur l’épaule de ma mère… il avait 88 ans.
Paper: Moleskine Watercolour Sketchbook
Colours: Mayan Blue, Raw Sienna, Aureolin Yellow, Q. Burnt Orange
Jane I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. Was just checking to see your lovely work, damn…I send you beautiful thoughts.
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Thanks Liliane — yep! At 88 I guess that it was his time -(
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Alors ne t’en prive pas, peins ! Je ressens le même bienfait quand je dessine ou je peins, c’est apaisant.
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Jane, you have my sympathies, and my attention, you wrote that beautifully, the love for your Father is evident in the lovely words you wrote. As you and your Mother lay your Father to eternal rest I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Big Hug!
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Hi Angmacleod,
thank you so much for your comment… it has touched me!
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Jane, I’m so sorry about your father. Art is there to comfort us. This is a lovely painting, too.
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Yes you are right Beth — it is comforting and works miracles. Thank you for your support!
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Mes pensées sont avec toi Jane. Ton père est parti paisiblement. C’est vrai que l’art peut être très thérapeutique…J’en sais quelque chose. Bonne semaine.
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Merci Lynn pour ton bon message–indeed, c’est thérapeutique -)
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Just lovely.
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Thank you Kathryn -)
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