Brief moments
Sketches as fragments of a week
In recent weeks I’ve been commuting regularly to Toronto to assist family members with various medical appointments. When commitments begin to fill the agenda and personal time lessens, it can be hard to be creative. As a way to keep the creative juices flowing, I have been experimenting with quick sketches.
Today, I’m sharing some of those moments.
Union Station is probably the busiest bus and rail hub in Canada. It connects about 300,000 passengers daily. In the lower level, people waiting for connections can buy food and drinks from a number of vendors in a large food hall. There’s always a lineup in the morning at the front of the Tim Hortons coffee shop. I was a customer, too.
This week and last I sat in medical waiting rooms with my elderly parents.
When I decided to take out my sketchbook, I only had a minute before this person was called in. I was glad I could practice under some time constraint.
Someone asked me the other day why I use a backpack. “Why?” I repeated, and then I began to list off all the things I have with me, starting with my portable agenda, a library book or two, water bottle, sunglasses, loose change, pens, toiletries, hat, gloves and so on.
A lot of men just carry their wallet and keys. I don’t know how they get by with so little on them. I can’t think of anything better that allows me to carry so much and still keep my hands free.
At the end of a long day on public transit or driving on the highway, it’s always nice to come home. This is the view from the end of our dining table looking toward the sliding door and the balcony.
We live on the third floor.
In the evening I’ve been enjoying watching highlights of the Dakar Rally, a two-week event in the Saudi Arabian desert. It’s quite a gruelling challenge for competitors on motorcycles, cars, all-terrain vehicles and trucks. They participate in different categories and the hardships are similar for everyone. Special timed stages, several hundred kilometres long, take place in the wilderness, along rock-strewn hillsides, over deep sand dunes and over flat plains. The course requires constant alertness and expert navigational skills of the competitors Helicopter shots of the Arabian desert are outstanding.
Of all the categories, I think motorcycle riders have the toughest challenge. Some have been documenting their races with cameras mounted on their dashboards. This is a typical view.
If you are interested in seeing some live-action images, click here to see the highlights from the penultimate stage of the 2026 Dakar Rally (January 16th).
You can also watch all the videos here:
https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialDakar
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See you next time.
-Renato
I understand how creativity diminishes when we are distracted with other responsibilities, especially the care of elderly parents. That can be stressful and perhaps the sketching is a good substitute for writing and a way to relax.
The creativity will return and perhaps with even more inspiration and ideas due to the experiences of your change in schedule. I also hope for positive outcomes for your parents.
I don't know how I could cope with reality if I didn't have my backpack.
Actually, my backpack is more a Mary Poppins bag than a backpack.
😄