Month: July 2015

By the Water

I was born in Jamaica.

portrait, man, park, student

So I really love being by the water.

man, toronto, beach, portrait, boardwalk, the beaches

The first time I came to the Beaches was a really happy memory for me.

man, portrait, beach, toronto

Canada Day 2005.

beach, toronto

It was with my wife on our first family outing. With a limousine stroller.

man, hands

Not every memory is easy for me though.

man, beach, portrait, toronto

I brought my kids here once, and they were riding their bikes. I was so excited to be that father. To have that moment.

I briefly couldn’t find one of my sons.

The anxiety I felt was awful.

man, portrait, beach, toronto

I felt like a fraud. Especially because of the work I do with black fathers.

glasses, still life, boardwalk hat, beach, still life, toronto, city water, beach, lake

But I love this place.

beach, toronto, volleyball

Being by the water gives me life. 

And reminds me of home.

Thanks to Brandon for sharing his story. Check out his organization, The Black Daddies Club, a group devoted to developing a support system and address issues facing black fathers,  and working with the media to promote alternative images of black fathers.

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No Egos in Parkdale

When I moved downtown from Mississauga a few years ago, I moved to Parkdale.

Portrait, Man, Toronto

Just around the corner from The Rhino. 

Queen Street Ash M Rhino-3

I rented a small house owned by a woman with really strict rules (no puppies allowed!).

Door

But I did what I had to do to be closer to work. Closer to downtown.

Open Portrait, Man, Toronto, Dod, the rhino

When Tara moved in with me and we got our dog Marley, we needed to find a place where we could take her. 

Portrait, Man, Woman, graffiti dog, pug

We used to walk around here a lot when we moved in. Carrying a puppy, we couldn’t get very far.

Ash and Tara

The Rhino is one of the only dog friendly spots in Toronto.

Ash M Rhino-2 man, walk, look, graffiti man, walk, look, graffitiart, graffiti

The first time we realized we could sit here with Marley, we sat here for a while, but she couldn’t walk back. I had to tie her in my shirt like I was carrying a small child!

Portrait, Man, Toronto Portrait, Man, Toronto

There are no egos in Parkdale. That’s what I love about it.

Thanks to Ash for sharing his story. Check out his adventures in Toronto on Instagram!

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Feeding the Squirrels

I moved to Toronto from Serbia when I was six years old.

Tamara Vojlnovik

It was 2003.

Tamara Vojlnovik

Not knowing anybody except my family.

Tamara Vojlnovik

We decided to move to Yonge and Eglinton to be near our family who lived on Erskine.

Yonge and Erskine

They moved back to Serbia, but they’re coming to visit. I’m really excited to see them!

Under Construction

During the summer when I moved here, my grandfather used to walk me every day to my cousins’ place.

Tamara Vojlnovik

We would pick up a bag of chestnuts and feed the squirrels.

Tamara Vojlnovik

Eventually, there was an abundance of squirrels! 

Tamara Vojlnovik

Now, every time I see a squirrel, I think of my grandfather.

Tamara Vojlnovik

Thanks to Tamara for sharing her story. Check out her modelling work on Instagram!

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A Stark Contrast

I moved to Canada when I was 10.

portrait, woman, toronto, symmetry, fountain

To North York.

Look, blue, red door, portrait

When I came to Toronto, I went to an arts school. My studio faced the towers in North York.

Walk, small, large, buildings, street, toronto

Over time, I developed an artistic appreciation of the city.

woman, pose, fun, garage, portraitWoman, portrait, toronto, greenBriefcase, blue, colours, texture, material, fashion

As an urban planner, I notice a  stark contrast here.

Walk, street, Toronto, north york, hot dog stand, street meat, mel lastman squarewoman, toronto, portrait, suburban

Between the North American idea of a suburban home, with a white picket fence.

house, contrast, size, scale,

Right next to towers. Which I’m actually more familiar with from China.

Seeing that weird juxtaposition made me really interested in cities, and how they’re formed.

Window, frame, portrait, contrast, toronto, house

Thanks to Helen for sharing her story. Check out the STEPS Initiative, an arts and community engagement organization she helped start when she was 19!

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