I drew this in transit – but not in the departure lounge. The system in Canada means that even if you are on an international connecting flight you have to exit, collect your bags and check in again. Thant meant waiting several hours for the check in desk to open…and only one cafe to sit at. The airport has a light train that connects between terminals (why don’t we have that in Manila?) and the city…but of course it moved too fast for me to draw it!
Sat-19-Oct-2019
As the flight from Toronto to Providenciales was not very full and I’d seen all the movies that were showing on the in flight system, I decided to sketch. The only problem was there was a lot of turbulence (it’s hurricane season and we even had to skirt around one ‘weather system’…I think the pilot didn’t want to scare people) and my lines were more wobbly than usual. Spot the lone (bald) passenger I see from my vantage point?
Sat-14-Sep-2019
After a sleepless night in the airport hotel in Toronto I was desperately in need of a coffee and some breakfast. I chose where to sit so I could sketch these peculiar light trees (the only way I can think of describing them) – they are like huge fluorescent tubes in vague tree shapes. I’m sure I’ve sat here before on my way to TCI but the decor and fancy lighting in this airport seems to change each time I am there.
Sat-14-Sep-2019
Anyone who has travelled through Toronto Pearson Airport is likely to be familiar with this sight – a giant sculpture by the American artist Richard Serra. Its a huge steel installation that you walk through as you get into the departure area. Apparently it’s so big it had to be installed before the terminal walls and roof could be constructed! You feel small as you walk through the middle of it (which I didn’t see anyone doing…maybe they think you aren’t allowed to) – all you can hear is your footsteps echoing back at you.
Mon-29-Apr-2019
Here is another of the sketches I did on my long journey home from Turks and Caicos to the Philippines. Much like on the journey out there, I had a long layover in Toronto so I chose a complicated view to sketch and took my time. This latticed dome covers a bar and food stand in the airport – quite extravagant for something as simple as that – but without these sculptural interventions I guess the airport would be pretty dull.
Tue-2-April-2019
Having spent the night in the extortionately expensive Sheraton hotel I got to Toronto Pearson International terminal 1 early in the morning for the last leg of my journey to Turks and Caicos. The waiting area is laid out with countless little tables each with an iPad and a scanner so you can pay for what you want with your plastic. It must have cost a fortune to set up. You can sit at a table, browse the internet, check your flight status and you still don’t have to buy anything! I sketched the bar area which had these beautiful glass tube lights hanging over it. Someone briefly perched at the bar to buy something but then moved on quickly so they only appear as a ghost!
Tue-12-Mar-2019