Art Inspiration and a Road Trip Part Two.

Here we are again at Roy's Gas, Motel and Cafe. If you're interested in reading up on it's long history, this is a good link.

This site has been used in many movies and music videos.

The famous Roy's sign was erected in 1959

What struck me most was the eerie feeling I got as I walked around exploring the area. 

The motel lobby, with items left strewn about, seemed as if it had been abandoned very quickly.

The cabins evoked that same eerie feeling in me. 

Some were empty and others contained very unique art installations.

Like many of the old establishments along Route 66 this place is frozen in time

According to this site Roy's is selling gas again, but not when we were stopped there. A young couple had pulled in ahead of us and were out of gas. The person there at the time was trying to pump gas into their car but there was no gas coming out. They were stranded and calling friends to come and pick them up. Strange right?? Cue eerie music.....

Almost TIFF Time.

This is probably one of the most colorful parts of the city. Restaurant row on King St. at John St. right across from TIFF. Always busy, it will be all systems go in a couple of weeks when the Toronto International Film Festival begins. These tables will be full 24/7. (well just about). 

I like the signs so much that I started painting them awhile ago, Check out this past post. I'm still working on new ones to add to the series. Stay tuned.

 Fred's Not Here

6x6 acrylic on canvas  $250.

available here at Art Interiors

 Kit Kat

6x6 acrylic on canvas

available here at Art Interiors

Hey Lucy

30x30 acrylic on canvas $1500.

available in studio

email me for info

Toronto Restaurant Signs.

I've had a nostalgic fondness for signs as far back as I can remember. When I was eight my father worked as a sign painter for a small chain of stores. At times he let me be in the studio while he worked. I loved to watch him mix the paints. He used special brushes made from real hair that I wasn't allowed to touch. I remember how smoothly his hand would flow over the paper as he did the hand lettering. This combined with our many road trips down to Florida and my fondness for signs grew stronger. I saw many hotel and restaurant signs while sitting for hours in the car on these trips and my love for neon was born. 

I started with small paintings of Toronto restaurant signs and went on to do larger ones. These are available at Art Interiors.

 Fred's Not Here 6x6 acrylic on canvas

$150.

 Good Food 6x6 acrylic on canvas

$150.

 Swan 6x6 acrylic on canvas

SOLD

 Skyline 6x6 acrylic on canvas

$150.

Kit Kat 6x6 acrylic on canvas

$150.

 Gusto 30x30 acrylic on canvas

$1500.

Swan Restaurant 30x30 acrylic on canvas

$1500.