I painted these concrete barriers for the StreetARToronto CycleTrack Program 2025 -- these ones will be placed on Lansdowne Avenue to separate the bicycle lanes from the car lanes. I can't wait to see them in place and will definitely be going back for more photos once they're in their final location.

Each concrete barrier is transformed into a glass aquarium containing corals, grasses, pebbles and a diverse array of colourful tropical fish -- as well as one more unusual resident: a mermaid with dark hair and a long flowing orange tail, who is working on drawing a picture of a fish; her tank also contains previous sketches she has made, with a little fish examining the art. The scenes are broadly accessible and appealing across cultures, ages, and backgrounds, using whimsy to invite imagination and create a welcoming experience for everyone passing by. The central mermaid as artist highlights the showcase of local talent and the fact that creativity is a power that belongs to everyone everywhere at all times. The 3D illusion provides a unique reward to commuters who travel past the barriers in both directions. This is an amazing program that hires so many artists to beautify the city. It was inspiring to see the artistic talent in that giant lot, and the huge diversity of styles and techniques. Painting outdoors during an August heat wave was a non-trivial challenge, but the support crew went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we need, bringing out patio umbrellas to provide shade while we were working, and even putting in extra hours to make up for the days we couldn't paint due to extreme heat warnings.