Portals
Portal Painters BIG 2026
We have portal painters painting doorways on Bloor street to liven up the neighbourhood with local artists.
Rowell At: Hashlands
You Don’t KNow Sowl?!
In the depths of profound darkness, the Sowl confronts the challenges of being human amidst adversity. Fueled by the dream of attaining a peaceful life printing the world. While acknowledging struggles with facing problems head-on, Sowl perseveres with utmost effort. Dancing through chaos, Sowl perseveres with utmost effort. Dancing through chaos, Sowl finds refuge in art–it serves as a weapon, a shield, and a vital source of healing; essential for their survival. The absence of art would leave a void so profound that Sowl sees it as a lifeline. Each piece created by Sowl sees it as a lifeline. Each piece created by Sowl reflects the current journey, functioning not only as a form of therapy but also as a steadfast companion that offers solace. Coined as “Gold Sowl Theory,” the journey embodies an unwavering spirit that cannot be punctured by any hardship.
The artworks currently in progress are conversations, capturing every chapter and emotion experienced. Through this creative exploration, Sowl seeks to foster a collective consciousness–an understanding that despite individual struggles, humanity shares a common path towards resilience and survival. Navigating through darkness with a steadfast hope, Sowl envisions an outcome illuminated by love and light, transcending the pain that accompanies their journey.
Peace and Love
@sunfloweramen
Stephanie At: Seoul Shakers
Bio:
Stephanie’s practice centers on interactivity and empowerment, transforming familiar spaces, objects, and imagery into vibrant expressions of new meanings and narratives. Her work engages with public spaces, using murals and installations to explore and celebrate our collective relationships with the environments we inhabit. Through her art, Stephanie brings a sense of joy and curiosity, inviting communities to connect with and reimagine the spaces around them. By incorporating public spaces into her work, she fosters a sense of shared experience and creativity, making art accessible and meaningful to all who encounter it.
Francis Pratt At: Queen's Shop
Francis works as a full-time artist painting murals and showing globally. Living in Toronto professionally as an artist for 20 years, his work draws from his Celtic-Germanic lineage as it informs his mark-making practice. Coming from a strong foundation in figurative painting and graffiti and working with a broad spectrum of mediums from Acrylic, oils, mixed media to aerosol Francis creates vibrant balanced visionary work.
His art is not just a means of creative expression within the modern urban environment, it is a way to forge a deeper connection with his own personal heritage, the natural world and the cycles that govern it.
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We invite you to look at these familiar, unseen residential entries, alleyways or back doorways through the eyes of another. No longer used primarily as mere doorways, but portals to another's perspective.
Do you have a door, garage or other entry-way you'd like painted? Contact us to coordinate!
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This mural explores the idea that through community efforts and cooperation a better future can exist for all. The Sea of Fog is often used as a visualization for the concept of The Sublime, a greatness beyond all possibility of calculation, measurement, or imitation. It also posists that in our current system that rewards selfishness, that future is gated away from most. Devin O'Brien |
"Floral Impressions" "Floral Impressions" is an underwater floral scene that was painted for Big on Bloor. Julia decided to take over the whole doorway area and attack it with brushstrokes, Impressionist style. Because of the tight deadline, she used her leftover paints to create a colourful array for the background. And to complete this piece, a whimsical and organic floral design was painted on the door as the main focus. Julia Prajza @ juliaprajza |
"shoals" This beautiful artwork represents a schooling of fish that swim together to protect themselves against bigger predators. Working together is the key to success in communities, fostering properity and survival. Andre Castro |
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"Pojagi Portal" Victoria' Day's Pojagi Portal is inspired by the tradition of Korean Patchwork called pojagi, often used to wrap gifts. The mural is Victoria's gift to Toronto's Asian community who have faced heightened discrimination over the past year, and a joyful celebration of her culture that will add a pop of colour to the neighborhood.
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"in/finite bloom" in/finitie bllom' takes inspiration from the geometry of quilting, where scraps of different fabrics are peiced into intricate new meanings. In a garden, as in community, many unique parts growing together can form the most beautiful bouquet. |
"Joy in Little Things" This piece focuses on positivity, inclusivity, and unity, as she thinks that is what people feel when they come together to work towards the same goal. Anastasia drew the design in a pattern-like style, where one element compliments another and the piece became a united canvas of shapes to emphasize the theme of unity. @anastatica.art |