Georgia O'Keeffe at the AGO

Andrew and I went to the AGO last night for the new Georgia O'Keeffe show.  I am always pleasantly surprised when I get the chance to see a well known artist who I don't know well and find that in fact there is a lot more to their work than what they're best known for. 

Jimson Weed, 1932

  The flowers are the images of O'Keeffe's that everyone knows but with good reason. This is a stunning painting and in person it draws you in and casts a spell.

Blue, 1959

 But I was not familiar with some of O'Keeffe's more abstract work. I stood in front of Blue for a long while getting lost in the depth and wishing I could dive straight in.

Pelvis III, 1944

  I knew O'Keeffe got into painting skulls but I was less aware of her series of sky views through pelvis bones.  I love the mystery and anticipation of this shift in perspective.

Lake George, 1922

 O'Keeffe's early work was much more traditionally figurative, but no less captivating.  This piece is in the collection of SF MOMA which was a extra little joy.

Lake George Barns, 1926

 I'm a sucker for old barns, I guess O'Keeffe was too cause she painted them a lot.  

East River From the 30th Story of the Shelton Hotel, 1928

I would not have picked this painting out of a line-up as a Georgia O'Keeffe.  But it is, and it's lovely.

Iconic Toronto

Derek Flack, editor and top contributor for BlogTO, wrote a great post today about iconic images of Toronto. Some of the images will be familiar to Property regulars, like Peter Doig's Don Valley image, which of course we have written about before. 

But others were new for the Property team, like this Albert Franck image - Behind Massey Street 1966. 

I was also glad to see two favourites: Kim Ondaatje's The Hearn 1974 

And William Kurelek incredible image  Balsam Avenue After Heavy Snowfall

In addition to Derek's choices there is also Christiane Pflug's 68 Cottingham 

And of course everyone knows the master himself Lawren Harris.

This is his Toronto Street, Winter Morning. Thanks Derek!

Canada is Having a Moment

Last night was all about Canada.  Drake's video release was the hottest thing to happen to the music industry since Bey dropped her digital album.  

The Blue Jays rolled over Kansas City to get back in the ALCS down two games to one and looking to equalize tonight. 

The Liberals seized a majority government in an historic election. Pretty boy Trudeau was all over the New York Times home page this morning 

Toronto voters elected all Liberals in their downtown riding.  Prompting the above image from Liberal Blue Jays fans. 

via GIPHY

This guy knows where's it at.  

Celebrating Another Year in TO

A beautiful tribute to our town. Thanks James Balutan

Get on the Bandwagon...

There's plenty of room.  #ComeTOgether. Go Jays Go!

Peter Doig Loves the Don

Peter Doig, COUNTRY ROCK (Wing Mirror)

Peter Doig COUNTRY ROCK 1998-9

T.O. Storm

Damn, She's Fine!

Planet Toronto from Ryan Emond on Vimeo.

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Pan Am Porn

Get ready Toronto... Pan Am is coming and it's going to be Pan-(AM)-demonium.

How Do You See Toronto?

This

Our illustrious Mayor Ford

These People are in Charge

Chris Christie - of bridge scandal fame.  Also the Governor of NJ. 

These delicate flowers are the Mayor and First Lady of Geelong, Victoria in Australia.  These two were recently voted Dlisted.com's Hot Slut of the Day - Classy. 

 And Toronto's very own Mayor Rob Ford.  Have a great weekend!

Here, There, and Everywhere

Well I made it. Cathryn and I had plenty of time, or so we thought. But as we sat on the Cross Bronx at 8:00 in bummer to bummer traffic I thought my chances of making a 10:00 a.m. flight were looking slim. But something miraculous happened and I had time for a cappuccino in the Porter Lounge at EWR. Nothing quite like a coffee and the New York Times.

I know we are getting close when the Falls come into view

What an indulgent night in town with this man and our fantastic drinks.  At Cantine.  Spent the rest of the night in Yorkville attending the city wedding party of one of Toronto's most dynamic musicians, Ms. Clara Venice.  It was a night of glamour, love and mariachi.  All with good friends.

The rest of the weekend was spent abed in the arms of a man and his chocolate Lab.  But Monday was so beautiful and I was so happy to be in the "old 'hood"  I had to get out and met Lauren, Crystal, and Beef at Fire. The old stomping ground of yore.

                                                               By Wednesday I was back in the tri-state, at MoMa with Joey B, of S.O.T.A fame, and Paul.  These two are the most famous guy I know in New York City.  Joe got me a ticket to see his show at The Cell  - Hard Times, which, by the way, got a fantastic review in the Times.  And Paul is bringing Patty Smith to Toronto in February.

The next week, I was back at it dolled up and going to Gramercy. 

Sometimes timing is just right, and you get to see one of your Toronto favourites in New York, like I did when Ms. Sharron Matthew's world tour stopped at Flute Gramercy.  She looks so great in Gold.

Had a late night dinner with Paul on one of my last nights in town.  It is always nice being at The Club.  I only wish Blackie could be there with us.  Oh and that reminds me I better send my Uncle a check for my bar bill.  This is what being "here" is all about.  

Platinum Rocks

Boy it is tough being a Toronto Sports fan these days.  But when I suggested we go to see a Toronto Rock lacrosse game Andrew went for it.  He even bought the tickets.

I should have known when he said our seats weren't very good over and over.

But I definitely knew something was up when the ushers kept sending us down to our seats.  Not  very good, ha! I can see everything. 

Not a bad view eh? 

Not bad at all! 

The Rock may have lost this game, but it was awesome.  Now there is a team worth going to the ACC for.  

Welcome Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Programing

It was a tough Fall/Winter here at the Property.  For one thing I had to MOVE.  Yes, a change of Real Estate.  Don't fret I didn't have to sell, but in "this economy" it was necessary to sublet the condo in favour of a more modest cottage near the Cedarvale Ravine. I also moved in with Lo. Yea!  Lauren and I always dreamed of living in a cottage together.  Of course in our dreams we were old, but here we are.  I plan to do some posts, with pictures of course, of the new place once we finish painting. Then I can tell you all about the house hunt etc.  Considering the mass hysteria of Toronto publications recently over Real Estate and rental prices, I'd say we had a pretty easy go of it.  But we might have just gotten lucky.

I can also announce that we will be hosting an engagement/housewarming party April 14th. If you would like to attend you can rsvp via email or in the comments.

We are registered at Honest Eds, The Avenue Road florists, (all of them) and the LCBO.  

Rosedale in the Fall

Prime real estate with great canopy coverage.

Mid-century modern.

Love the old-fashioned gate.

Could there be a more picture perfect street.

Love their pumpkins and fall foliage.

One of my favourites.

Beautiful modernism.

Simply divine.

Love the fiery red tree and the blue door, with white trim combo.

Perfection.

Great old windows.

Love a backyard gazebo.

Nice fall planters.

And gorgeous grasses.

Couldn't get a great angel on this unreal house near the base of the Don Ravine.

A bit of frost.