Lily S. May–Life with Art
Autumn colours are magnificent in Toronto this year. We've been walking in the Brickworks Park and surrounding ravines for the past few weeks as the leaves turn. And we haven't been alone--there are many people (and their dogs) out walking and enjoying the vibrant colours. Here's a linocut I made many years ago about my… Continue reading Autumn!
Last week we rented a cottage in Meaford, a small town to the northwest of Toronto. It was a peaceful break from the noise and busyness of the city. We took two beautiful hikes on Trout Hollow Trail which felt wonderful since we haven't been on wooded trails since the beginning of the pandemic. Here's… Continue reading Vacation
I was working on a 9" x 12" scratchboard drawing that became very complex and regularly entailed long periods of contemplation before knowing how to proceed. Earlier this week I decided to take out a small scratchboard--5" x 7"--to take a break from the larger image. This is what I came up with. It followed… Continue reading Spirit of the Leaf
Last Saturday I went for a spring walk in a cemetery in a part of Toronto called Cabbagetown. The necropolis, which I had never walked through before, was established in 1850. It's a large tree filled space with the graves of many people, some with monuments and others with simpler headstones and ground plaques. What… Continue reading At the Necropolis
During the pandemic, I've been out walking on streets of houses surrounding the neighbourhood that I live in. I always take solace from the trees and gardens I see. But I've been surprised at how the look of some of the houses improves my sense of well-being. In particular, I often love looking at the… Continue reading Scratchboard Houses
I've been working on an appliqué that has had twists and turns I could have avoided--sewing, unsewing, repairing it finally. Had I followed what I knew I should do to correct technical problems, I would have arrived at the place I am now much faster. The work I didn't want to face has not been… Continue reading Getting Through the Night
I am working on another felt appliqué. In the meantime, here’s two photos I took in May at Evergreen Brickworks. I loved that the clouds and blossoms mirrored each other that day and that the red-winged blackbird stopped long enough to be in the first photo. The Brickworks is a reclaimed brick factory and quarry… Continue reading One Day in May
I carved this linocut in March or April, took a rough proof, made the adjustments I thought it needed and finally printed the image last week.
We recently traveled out of town northwest of Toronto for 4 days. There we hiked in Algonquin Provincial Park and in Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve amidst trees and lakes. Here's 2 photos I took while away. The first is in Algonquin Park at an incredibly quiet lake with only the call of a loon.… Continue reading Weekend in the Parks
The textile show opening that I mentioned in my last post was enjoyable. Since then I've continued painting and I'll post some of that work in the future. I also continue line drawing. This past weekend, the weather was a lot milder and we went for a walk in a park that is part of… Continue reading In the Clearing
Arts of May 