Someone in Toronto has painted the sky every single day for six years straight
For some people, the sky is simply a fleeting glance at the weather, but for Toronto artist, it holds a much deeper meaning.
Since January 1, 2020, Jilly Frances has painted the sky every single day after a major life event.
"I became a mother at the end of 2019," she tells blogTo. "I would turn to the sky as a source of consistency amidst so much change. It mirrored that duality for me, something changing and remaining at the same time."
These daily sky paintings first began as a personal practice and "then just never stopped" for the ethereal artist.
Finding the right subject to paint came naturally.
"I've always been a very 'look at the sky' type of person," Frances admits, adding that while most people see the allure of a sunset and move on, she's the type of person who wants to spend more time with the subject.
She describes these moments of connection as "intimate," where she is "translating something so grand and impermanent, and holding it in my hands," in the form of an abstract painting.
Her small, circular paintings reflect both the constraints of city living and the splintering of early motherhood.
"When you become a mother, you become a little bit fragmented. So I work with fragments. Most of us living in dense urban spaces don't have views of the vista. We catch bits of it between buildings. So, for me, it was about constantly searching for the profound within the ordinary."
Reflecting on how she started, Frances says these daily sky paintings "were a way to hold onto time, to hold onto myself. The sky, ever-changing yet constant, always felt comforting to me,” adding that in early motherhood, as the COVID-19 pandemic raged across the globe, she needed nature to romance her a little bit.
"And I believe she did."
After that, Frances' personal journey turned into a shared experience.
"Once I released a full year of these daily sky paintings, it grew to include everyone else's moments. Collectors will resonate with particular dates," Frances says.
Now six years later, the project continues, quietly documenting not just the sky above Toronto, but, along the way, the lives unfolding beneath it.
Those interested in Frances' art can see her work in person at an upcoming exhibition, Like a Mirror, Like a Mother, Like a Memory. The three-day event runs Friday, May 8 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m on the weekend.
The exhibition is free to attend and will take place at Kikospace, located at 2104 Dundas St. W.
Jilly Frances
