Graffiti Alley

 Toronto has lots of amazing street art, and as I walk around the city I am always looking for examples to photograph. I wrote a while ago about the great work done to decorate one of the many highway underpasses, and the other day I finally found my way to the actual “Graffiti Alley”. I had read about this street art location, but I was never completely sure where it was; downtown off Queen St. Somewhere I knew, but Queen St. is long and very interesting on its own, so I had never actually found it. 

But, on a mission to visit one of the many Bead Stores in the area, I noticed some interesting looking street art down an alley and detouring to take a picture, I accidentally found my way to graffiti alley. It really was one of the best displays of Toronto’s amazing street art culture. Here are some of the photos I took.

This was the art that drew me down the alley.

Three Stories of street art; the entire building was painted.

Can you find your garage door?

And bonus . . . Another door for my collection.

I don't think the phone still works . . . .

Knitting and Skateboards.

Amazing artwork!

I especially like when windows and doors and backgrounds are integrated into the artwork.

More Doors

Are you ready for more of my doors? I have been taking photos of doors for years and I have over 500 pictures of them from all over the world. I am not doing much traveling anymore, but here in Toronto I manage to find interesting doors on most of my walks around the city. I do get some odd looks from people when they see me stopping to take pictures of doors.

 Not sure what happened to this door, but the simple grey tones caught my attention.

Not only interesting old doors, but some very cool dragon lights. 

Yes, if you look closely there is a door blended into this "street art".

A very cool old door, but the handprints made me stop to snap a photo.

A Frankenstein door "stitched" together?

Another door integrated into some beautiful street art.

A very "Industrial" door on the back of a building which featured this metal look all over. I also liked the wires beside the door. 

Okay . . . this door is just really extra cool.

Slightly vandalized and tagged.

And finally a door from Sorento Italy sent to me by a guest photographer Jim Ballinger who was traveling and thought I'd like this door. 

White Squirrels

“White Rabbit” the song by Jefferson Airplane was always one of my favourite hits from the 6o’s so when I read in my “111 Places in Toronto That You Must Not Miss”, that a park in Toronto was known for White Squirrels, which would be much more unique than white rabbits, it got my attention and I decided to go visit. 

The Restored Gate

Trinity Bellwoods Park is situated in Downtown Toronto and provides a large green space with Athletic fields, tennis courts, dog parks and playgrounds all linked with pathways and shaded with large trees. I tried to visit a few days ago while running an errand for friends, but was called away before I could explore much of the park, so on a beautiful warm November afternoon I went back to see the rest of the park. 

walkways well used

The park was originally a military reserve and then the site of Trinity Collage, the first institute of higher learning in Toronto. When the collage buildings were demolished in the 1950, the elegant entry gates were left, and after years of neglect, they were restored and now provide a beautiful historical entrance to one of Toronto’s many parks. The park is large with 36 acres to explore and has 3 ball diamonds, 8 Tennis courts, 4 pickleball courts, 2 volleyball courts, an ice rink, wading pool, children playground, an indoor recreation centre and a large dog off-leash area; something for everyone really. The dog off-leash area was especially interesting as it was in a sunken area of the park so provided a natural barrier for the pet owners to allow their furry friends to run free. 

Regis' CN Tower is always present

So, one more of the 111 places can be checked off my list, and it was a very pleasant way to exercise my new hip, but as hard as I searched, I did not see any of the famous white squirrels. 

And once more!

Sorry, I have no idea what this is all about.

Some of the fall colours in the park

No White Squirrels to be seen

Down to the off-leash area

Lots of street art . . . . even chimney art

Neighbourhood street art

I like all the different elements in this art

One nice piece from an alleyway art scene

The fall leaves add to the artwork

A lovely day out and about in Toronto

More Street Art

The street art here in Toronto really is amazing. Every time I go out I discover more beautiful art on the streets of the city. During my walks, I am often distracted by art down alleyways and side streets. Here are some of the latest examples I have photographed. 

Caught an artist at work

The mops were not part of the art, but I felt they added something to it

I like when so many elements are painted over

Toronto Street Art

Whenever I go out exploring I am always on the lookout for interesting Street Art. I have collected over 200 photos since I arrived here in September. Some are massive multi-story high commissioned art work, and some are simply graffiti. Some of the artwork is absolutely amazing, and some makes you wonder “What on earth were they trying to say?”. Many interesting examples are on the side of building down alleyways and lanes, so I often take detours when I see flashes of colours in out of the way locations. 

Here are some of the most recent examples I have found. 

Also in my photo collection of "doors"

Part of a series on Music

This was inside a restaurant

Disappointing that this has been tagged

The beast guarding the Garbage Cans

This was part of a much larger mural