Hello and welcome to Weekend Coffee Share #53! I’m glad you’re here. Please come on in, help yourself to a cup of coffee, or tea, or hot chocolate at my coffee station and let’s chat.
Week 3/ 52
I hope you’ve had a good third week of January. From Sunday night through to Monday afternoon, a winter storm brought about 33 cm (13 inches) of snow to downtown Toronto. From Tuesday on, it’s been back to normal winter conditions.
Last week I shared dinosaur and whale murals at Budapest Park. Today I’d like to share three beautiful murals at Marilyn Bell Park and Lakeshore Boulevard Parklands. Their vibrant colours would catch your attention.
The murals were painted on rectangular storage buildings by professional artists. The storage buildings with locked doors look like utility sheds or tool sheds for Parks employees to store their tools for park maintenance. They vary in size. Each has four sides so it’s actually four murals per storage building.
Bee and Butterfly Murals
The Bee and Butterfly murals are on two storage buildings located side by side at east end of Marilyn Bell Park. Two artists painted them with a theme of plants and pollinators.
- Artist: Katrina Canedo @Kat_Cee painted the bigger and more colourful building.
- Artist: Hanna Brasly or Bee Fawn @bee_fawn painted the smaller building with the white background.
Cyborg Mural
This mural makes a bold statement. The longer I study the four sides, the more I admire the artwork.
- Artist: Gabriel Kizmet @Kizmet32
- Mural location: Lakeshore Boulevard Parklands, west of Marilyn Bell Park
Marilyn Bell Park and Lakeshore Boulevard Parklands are beautiful parks with lots of green space, big trees, picnic tables, tennis courts, a disc golf course, a boardwalk, and fantastic views of Lake Ontario. These vibrant murals bring art and add visual interests to the parks.
Which mural is your favourite?
Shared with #ThursdayDoors, #PPAC32.
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Natalie the Explorer 
Thirteen inches is a lot of snow. Last weekend, we received about an inch and the City freaked out. Of course, most was ice. I enjoyed all of the murals, but the bees and butterflies were my favorite. Thanks for sharing, Natalie! Stay warm!
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Hi Jill, That snowstorm was a major one. Once it passed us, it was full sun the next morning and the last two days. I’m glad you liked the bee and butterfly murals. They’re quite colourful. I hear freezing rain is coming your way. Hopefully you’re not affected much by it. Have a wonderful weekend!
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I really liked the bee/butterfly/garden murals Natalie – so bright and sunshiny. I’m amazed at how many artworks you’re surrounded by – we don’t have anywhere near that many in any place I’ve visited.
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Hi Leanne, The bee and butterfly murals are beautiful IRL. I’m amazed at the quality and quantity of public art around me, too.
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Love that South Wall, but the East Wall is a close runner-up. Lovely photos, Natalie. Thanks for sharing them here, I need a burst of color right about now.
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You’re welcome, Ally. I love colours and these murals are so bright.
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I think it’s great that you have so many public murals. The cyborg mural artist has lots of talent, but is creepy to me.
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I think all these artists are highly skilled.
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The Cyborg head is wonderfully intricate, though not really my kind of thing, Natalie. Have a great weekend!
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Thank you Jo for sharing your thoughts on the Cyborg mural. Have a wonderful weekend!
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HI Natalie, the first mural is my favourite – the Bee. I do love how murals are now used around cities to bring colour to ordinary objects. We do that here in Australia and it makes such a difference. Thanks for hosting #weekendcoffeeshare. I hope you will join in our monthly 2022 Word of the Year Link Party starting next week. If you don’t have a woty you can share your goals/intentions. I didn’t post here in the link up as I wasn’t sure of your guidelines. Here is the link to the post that explains what it is all about…. Coming Soon Join us for the 2022 Word of the Year Link Party
Have a lovely week. xx
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Thank you Sue for letting me know about your new monthly link-up. I’ll have a look shortly. I’m glad to hear Australia has been promoting murals. I hope to visit Australia and see some of them. Have a wonderful week!
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Toronto really does have some great street art – thanks so much for sharing.
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Thank you Barbara for your comment. It’s fun for me to share these murals on my blog.
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First of all, so much snow! Secondly, what a beautiful way to brighten up gardeners sheds. Have a great weekend Natalie.
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Hi Jo, Fortunately, that big snowstorm was a one off and the next day it was sunny with clear blue sky. I’m glad you liked the murals. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Some of this collection look a bit too much like graffiti for my taste, but several others are noting short of amazing. Such a fun way to decorate such sheds. Thanks for sharing Natalie.
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Thank you Gary for your comment. With art, there is something for everyone. Have a great weekend!
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Those murals are amazing!
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Thanks, Joanne. Glad you liked them.
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Wow, you certainly got a lot of snow in one day! I’m glad the weather’s back to normal winter conditions now.
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Yes, that snow storm was a one off and we haven’t had that much snow on one day for many years. The next morning it was sunny with clear blue sky.
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So much snow Natalie! I too love the bees and flowers and what a clever way to decorate sheds! Very colourful and a great conversation starter :). Have a great weekend. We’re off to celebrate my grandson’s first birthday today.
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Happy first birthday to your grandson, Debbie. I hope you and your family have a wonderful time celebrating. That snow storm was a one off and once it passed, the next day it was sunny with clear blue sky.
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These are all wonderful and must give a fun vibe to the park. Way more than a utility building. I like the bee and butterfly best, but it wasn’t an easy choice. 13″ is a lot of snow. The storms have been skirting north and south of us. Not much snow here this year.
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Fortunately, that storm was a one off and we didn’t have much snow before it came. The bee and butterfly murals are bright and beautiful. I’m glad you liked them. Have a great weekend Dan!
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Looks like an inviting place to wander through, Natalie. May I say again that I am very much enjoying your presentations of the public art around you? Love the bold colors and broad pictures in these!
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Lizl, Thank you very much for your positive feedback. I enjoy sharing my photos of public art on my blog. I’m glad you liked the murals.
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I really like the bees, flowers, and butterflies murals.
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They’re beautiful IRL. I think the artist did an excellent job.
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I like how they made good use of the storage walls. It would otherwise have been very plain and boring.
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I agree, Teresa. I think it’s a win-win: The artists get to create and share their art, and the park visitors get to see something interesting. The murals may draw more park visitors and that indirectly promotes healthy living.
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That is why I love murals … for the same reason!
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Love it, Natalie! last week it was Dinosaurs, this week, more excitement! what a fabulous use of storage sheds!
While I love the beautiful flora & insects, I have a soft spot for cyborgs.
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Ju-Lyn, The more I study the Cyborg murals, the more I admire the artist’s skills to paint them. I’m glad you like cyborgs.
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So much beautiful art Natalie, and so colourful. I love them all but it’s f I had to choose a favourite, it would be the West Wall -Cyborg mural. I love the colours and the boldness.
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Jennifer, I think the artist has amazing skills to paint the Cyborg mural. I’m glad you liked it.
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What a fabulous way to brighten up these utilitarian structures! I love the first one in particular 😀
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Sarah, The Butterfly mural looks so cheerful. I’m glad you loved it.
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Cool murals, though I think I like the the first the best. Hope you have a good weekend a great week ahead!
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Trent, I think the artist did an amazing job with the Butterfly mural. I’m glad you liked it. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Thank you, SadiRose. Take care.
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Wow – those are awesome murals. My favorite? Whichever one I’m looking at, I think. 😀
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Welcome back, Hudie. I hope you’ve been doing well. I’m glad you liked the murals. I’ll visit your blog shortly.
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So bright and colorful! I love how you get out and about. Thirty -eight degrees has me snuggling with the dogs indoors lately. I am a wimp. Have a great Saturday!
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Lucky you to have mild winters, Pam. I enjoy getting out and about. It makes the winter more interesting. Have a great weekend!
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I love them all but the Bee Wall is the best. Very nice. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
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That Bee wall is vivid IRL. Great choice, Patrick. Have a great weekend!
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Hi Natalie,
I just love all the artwork and I think you are right the cyborg mural is something else! I do Love the Bees and Butterfly’s too, but the cyborg one really stands out with all it’s details and colors! I am glad you have fairly mild winters as it goes with snow and all. Thank you for hosting! and I will be joining with a post shortly. Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead! 😀
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Hi Diana, I’m glad you liked these murals. I admire the artists’ skills to make them the way they are. I look forward to your coffee share post. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Wow. That’s a serious amount of snow. Love those new murals. The butterfly and bee ones are definitely my favorites.
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The butterfly and bee murals are bright and cheerful. I’m glad you liked them.
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Amazing. I love the concept of 4 similar murals on each side of a container.
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The four sides kind of tell a story. I’m glad to see you at this week’s Weekend Coffee Share link-up.
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What a fun murel tour. Thanks for the visit.
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Thank you for stopping by, Antoinette. I look forward to reading your coffee share post.
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Loving the cyborg pictures. great share
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Thank you, Alex. Have a wonderful week ahead!
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The bee and butterfly murals make me smile, but that cyborg eye is… wow. Kinda makes me want to start writing a horror story.
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That cyborg mural got my attention. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Natalie, these are wonderful! I love murals, and color. What better way to handle a dull “utility” type of door. Thanks for sharing them. Hugs on the wing!
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Thank you, Teagan, for stopping by. I’m glad you liked these murals. They brighten my day as it’s winter here with mostly muted colour in nature.
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You are so lucky to live so close to such beautiful parks, arts and culture.
I haven’t been back to Toronto since I began following your blog.
Your blog always makes me nostalgic to return to Toronto soon!
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Hi Donna, I hope you visit Toronto soon while I’m here. I’d love to go for a coffee and walk with you to some of the sights.
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Toronto has so many amazing street art and murals. Thanks for sharing this set with us, Natalie. I really like the side with the butterfly. And the Cyborg building is incredibly well done. So detailed! Have a lovely week ahead, hopefully with blue skies. 🙂
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You’re welcome, Liesbet. These murals are fun and free to see. I love living in downtown Toronto. Lots to explore and enjoy here. I hope you’re enjoying nice weather and feeling more relaxed. Have a great week!
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Hi Natalia,
That snowstorm is beyond my comprehension. While I’ve been to the snow and gone skiing, I’ve only ever experienced a light flutter. My favourite mural was the butterfly.
Thanks again for another week and I hope you have a great week ahead.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Hi Rowena, We haven’t got that much snow in one day for many years. Once the snow storm passed us, the next day it was sunny again and we’re back to normal winter conditions. I’m glad you liked the butterfly mural. It’s bright and cheerful. Have a great week!
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It’s amazing how another day can follow after a big storm and it’s a whole fresh start. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way after our big bushfires, I came across a photo of our son in his pram in the aftermath of our big local bushfires Christmas 2006. I’ll have to post it. It is rather striking.
Meanwhile, Saturday somehow managed to come around again.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Big fires are scary and devastating. They tend to cause long term damage to the environment. I hope you join us for another weekend coffee share.
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First of all bees give me the heebeejeebies lol possibly because am allergic so while some see cute yellow and black striped honey producing insects…. I see possible death by Anaphylactic shock 🤣🤣
Anyhoo…. small surprise I love the Cyborg themed set particularly East wall – Cyborg head
~B
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Thank you, B, for stopping by. I hope you’ve been keeping well. I think the artist showed amazing skills to paint the Cyborg head. I’m glad you love it.
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Natalie, again I’m in awe of the creativity and imaginative work on this storage units! The cyborg’s eye is rather unsettling … it seems to be staring right into my soul! 😀
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Hi Annika, I like that the cyborg mural causes a strong reaction 🙂 I think the artist has amazing skills to paint that mural.
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Natalie, I actually liked the giant bees and butterflies the best, the first set of containers. It seems that most people love the cyborg container, and I love the colors. The first containers remind me so much of the murals painted in Acker Park in Prescott that I love so much. Donna said it best, though, “You are so lucky to live so close to such beautiful parks, arts and culture.” I apologize for not leaving you a response sooner. I thought I had but after the mixup with the posts last week, I guess I only THOUGHT I left a comment. Please forgive me!
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Marsha, There is no deadline to leave me a comment so no need to apologize. I’m happy you dropped by and that you liked the giant bees and butterflies. I love their brightness and cheerfulness. I hope you continue feeling better everyday. Have a wonderful weekend!
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I love murals! These are all exquisite! A much-needed tribute to some of our pollinators. Here’s one I worked on in my community: https://joannaoftheforest.wordpress.com/2016/06/16/a-forest-of-dreams/
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JoAnna, A Forest of Dreams mural looks amazing. What a great community project that was. Thank you for sharing it. There are many murals in Toronto. I’ll share some of them next week.
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It was fun to work on the Forest of Dreams. I bet Toronto is beautiful. Looking forward!
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All of them are great but I love the East Wall one the best. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
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Thank you, Patrick, for sharing your thoughts. Have a great weekend!
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