Toronto The Beautiful – Street Art!

Earlier today I was talking about the trouble I was having coming up with something to write.

Tonight it seems that I’m starting to get back on track with the help of some pics that I’ve been able to take of some sweet street art in Toronto.

Note: Thanks to Trish for coming out and snapping pics with me.

I can’t tell you why I like the street art that I like. I can’t tell you what makes good street art (I’m not qualified and I would never want you to take my word for it.) but I can show you some of the things that caught my eye when we walked into Graffiti Alley near Tecumseth St. earlier in the evening. Trish had a camera strapped on and I had my iPhone… we snapped up a storm.

As you’ll see – there’s no real rhyme or reason to what I’m posting here. I love the Gang of Gnomes. I think that the Family Portrait is pretty cool too. But then things get random and fragmented and it gets harder and harder to explain.

Note: I don’t know any of the artists that painted these pieces. I don’t know how long they’ve been there. I don’t know how many other people have come in and taken photos and posted them online. All I know is that there often seems to be something special about wandering into Graffiti Alley with no plan and a camera.

The first time that I took a trip into the alley was with Rannie and we took pics (me with my old blackberry) and I knew that I would be back.

Since then I’ve taken photos of spray painted hearts, chickens, dates, characters and other awesome art. I’d highly recommend stopping in if you ever have the chance.

Example: I can’t tell you why I like that picket fence with the gap in it. I think it looks cool against the grass green background and I like the trees on the ends. Maybe I do want a little white picket fence in my yard some day… Maybe I just need more photos like this one.

Same with this one of the Butterflies on a Stump in the Woods, I think I like it because it reminds me of the country and the trees and the nature that we don’t get to see very often in the city. It’s like looking at a scene from my mom’s yard spray painted on a wall in Toronto. That’s a pretty cool thought to me. Although I’m sure the artist had a different inspiration.

I also really like when city scenes are portrayed in street art. There are many and they are awesome. When houses, apartment buildings, condos, stores, cars, streets, sidewalks, cars, etc. are painted with just the right amount of detail that you stand there and wonder how long it must have taken and how talented the artist must be… it’s good art. And again, I have no authority to tell you what makes good art. But that description makes as much sense to me as any other.

Here’s hoping that you get the chance to check out Graffiti Alley and the many other places that are filled with amazing street art in Toronto and around the world.

And when you find something awesome – take a picture and let me know. There’s a solid chance that I’ll want to see it too even if I can’t get there myself!

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Joshua Murray

creator of content, daddy blogger, writer, coffee drinker, fan of the Batman. proud mo bro. prouder dad.