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?
Toronto 5:47 a.m.
I woke early this morning, earlier than usual, to photograph the Super Blue Moon. I went out late last night and took a few shots, but was not entirely satisfied with the results.
The pull of the Moon was enough to get me out of bed early, and wandering the neighbourhood for the best vantage point.
Some things are worth getting up for.
Super Blue Moons are rare, occurring about once in a decade; once in a blue moon. The next time I will have the opportunity is in 2037 in both January and March. I intend to photograph each one.
As a bonus, I also caught a glimpse of Saturn shining in the very early morning.
All I had to do was look up.