Montreal Rendezvous

Larry and I are near the end of a wonderful visit to Montreal where we were generously and graciously hosted by Emily and her significant other, Jerome.

Jesse joined us for some of the visit and I was so very thrilled to spend time with family.

Emily and I had birthday celebrations and it was wonderful to share that in a city filled with art, music and lots of special food.

The little grocery stores have a variety of beautiful vegetables.

Cheese is everywhere.

Montrealers love their cheese!

We spent time going to art supply stores and bookstores too.

Father and daughter share their love of lettering.

And we took the subway (Metro) everywhere. Gotta love public transportation.

Emily and Jerome in the Metro.

I have ordered art supplies from independent art store Kama Pigments for several years now. It was a thrill to visit the store in person and ask many questions about using oil paints. The store started out because an artist wanted to make his own paint and sold powdered pigments. It has since branched and expanded, but still retains that ‘can-do’ attitude that all artists can create their own watercolours, gouache, oil or acrylic paints with ingredients from Kama.

Pure pigments at Kama Pigments in Montreal.

Mediums to use with oil paints at Kama Pigments.

We spent a lot of time going to events via subway. For my birthday, Jerome took us to the theatre. He is a kind, generous FX artist from France and a wonderful cook too and we all think he’s great…..especially Emily. 😉

The underground Metro in Montreal.

Heading to an Indian food restaurant in old Montreal.

An Art Installation about Light in Montreal.

Public art is everywhere in Montreal. There are loads of wall murals, sculptures and interesting architecture. It was so good to see that and is such a positive statement about the importance of art to enhance all our lives.

Sculpture on the rooftop in Montreal.

One of many, many interesting rooftops in Montreal.

Bitcoin machine in Montreal or Art Installation?

Door in Montreal

One of many, many wall murals in Montreal.

Wall Mural in the Plateau neighborhood of Montreal.

Besides fabulous public transit, there are bike lanes everywhere and many, many bike parking spots on the residential streets. There are also lots of shared car rental schemes. Clearly this is a city with innovative, people-centric ideas and results.

Bikes are everywhere in Montreal and there are lots of public rentals too.

Graffiti in a bathroom downtown.

It’s inspiring to catch up with our kids and it’s great that Emily is working fairly close by right now, because that can change fairly quickly.

Together again.

Soon it will be time for us to fly home to our quieter lives in Bear River. This is a great way to end the long winter and long spring; with family, with food and with a city of art.

Jesse returns to Toronto.