Halloween is Beautiful

Happy Hahhhlloween!

Yeah, it's mostly about gore and zombies... but it also makes me feel bloody good :)

Credit: amoderndame.blogspot.com

It's an annual event of spiritualness--your memories of costumes, candy and parties from previous lives.

Consider how all of your senses are involved: The sound of crunchy, autumn leaves, dead beneath your feet; The deliciousness of Reeses peanut Butter Cups and all those other succulent treats; The smell of buttery pumpkin seeds awakening in the oven; Feeling all the tools and materials to slaughter up some frightful decor; Freaking out from the sight of scary spirits in horror movies and haunted houses. 

Credit: www.marthastewart.com

It summons creativity in all of us. It's always in the details, in every costume and jack-o-lantern, that leaves me breathless. 

Feel free to share your creations, I'd love to see them!

My Graffiti Adventure

It's fun to rediscover your own city.

Cartoon faces on a garage door

Beautiful! The most detailed graffiti I've ever seen.

On Saturday I met up with fellow art enthusiasts to walk through alleyways around Bathurst and Bloor. Richard led us through parkettes, pathways and parking lots. He explained the culture of street artists and the different styles of graffiti. The terminology ranged way beyond my limited vocabulary of "tagging" and commissioned "murals". Here is more info on Toronto graffiti.

Mural behind the Victory Cafe in Mirvish Village.

Repeated stencil in a hidden dead-end alley.

Every corner we turned had a new surprise.
Every person was drawn to different details.
Every piece will continuously transform.

The cutest one of all--makes a grungy back alley worth visiting :)

I was amazed at the variety of sizes and surfaces and techniques.

Strategically composed within the frame of a pipe and a ledge.

These wispy trees almost went unnoticed. 

Impressive shading technique made with spray paint.

Wandering around on a warm sunny day, chatting with new people, seeing new things, felt like I was traveling in a different country. It reminded me how much I crave adventure!

Where have you found amazing graffiti?