Art is everywhere, if you choose to look.
Lately, as the weather becomes a slightly more pleasurable each day, I am taking the opportunity to get back out on the streets of Toronto to observe what really happens here.
Last Thursday, on the way to an appointment, I was fortunate to notice something I had never seen before.
Just about any day you’ll find Ross Ward hunched over on Yonge Street tending to his art. The ‘Birdman of Toronto’ has been a fixture on these streets in various locations for well over a decade, and during each day he crafts, and sells, palm-sized birds.
Once only a hobby — this is now more than whittling — Ward carves out shapes of common birds from reclaimed wood. There is always a piece in progress, and always a small flock for sale on his concrete workspace.
Perhaps in our day-to-day journeys, we don’t look close enough at all the people. We don’t often observe enough to see art just happening here and there on our landscape. I’ve wandered this street how many times and only last week did I notice the man. I saw him again on the weekend.
Appreciating the beauty of his work, I bought a bird as a gift for someone . . . or maybe a souvenir for myself to one day remember my time in this city.
Couldn’t we all use more memorable hand-made art?
Mondays are just young Fridays
Welcome in a new week
as you would a lover or a friend.
Find value in your relationships
and the time in which you spend.
Do what you say you’ll do. Say
what you really mean. Listen
to your instincts and intentions,
and also the thoughts in between.
Remind yourself daily
of your total worth. Talk gently
when you are feeling low, or
when your pride has been hurt.
Know an excuse is
not forgiveness. See the
difference between an error
and a mistake. Remember
both strengths and weaknesses
are solely yours to make.
10/02/2017 j.g.l.