Tyler Colins's Blog

The Impressionists’ exhibit at the AGO is good, but Canadian artist Ranbir Sidhu’s is extraordinary.

His huge futuristic—luminous—sculptures are mesmerizing. You can stand before each indefinitely, watching the light prance and dance on the metal. The sparkle and depth of these seemingly impossible art pieces are utterly captivating.

The crown jewel of the show is “Odyssey” (2025), a mystical, reverence-inspiring masterpiece. Crafted from stainless steel, 24-karat gold, LEDs, and fiber optics, this massive 5,000-pound beast miraculously balances on just four points.

Born in Maidenhead, England, and raised in Scarborough, Ontario, Sidhu masterfully bends stainless steel and marble to challenge our very perception of time, space, and self.

The AGO describes the artist this way:

Blurring the line between form and ideas, industry and intuition, Sidhu seamlessly weaves Sikh history and iconography into a contemporary visual language. His ambitious sculptural works are exquisitely engineered in a variety of metals.

And per ARTONTARIO.CA:

“Steel is strong, reflective, and timeless,” Sidhu notes, yet under his hand, it becomes something more: a vessel of memory and a mirror to the sacred. Metals, for him, hold both precision and possibility. Stainless steel captures infinity, gold evokes spiritual radiance, and niobium’s shifting colours seem alive. Through these materials, Sidhu reconciles heritage with modernity—an artist forging connections between the earthly and the cosmic.

Experience the visionary art of Ranbir Sidhu by visiting his current AGO exhibition before it closes on January 3, 2027. Preview pieces and learn more about this stellar artist at ranbir-sidhu.com.

Catch the “The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse from the Dallas Museum of Art”, a small but essential exhibition … currently showing at the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) through mid-October.

Why? For the masters, the rebellion, and the magic.

You’ll find Monet, Manet, van Gogh, Morisot, Pissarro, Gauguin, Matisse, Degas, and Munch, among others. These talented artists rejected studios to paint outdoors (en plein air), offering a new [fresh] approach (look and feel) to the world of art. The allure stems from the raw, unblended colors and thick, swift brushstrokes that embrace natural light instead of rigid/forced details.

The highlights? Monet’s Still Life, Tea Service captures porcelain pieces and shadows with near-photographic precision. The lifelike image makes you feel as if you could reach past the frame to pick up the teacup and sip a tasty infusion. Caillebotte’s The Path in the Garden pulls you along a path with flowing greenery onto sun-kissed grass that surely smells as fragrant as the surrounding flora. Munch’s Thuringian Forest swirls with angry red lines (reminiscent of lava) that reveal the artist’s turbulent psyche.

Upon exiting, make sure to take the interactive wall flowchart quiz to see which renowned artist matches your personality.

Don’t miss this fabulous period of19th-century art history before it leaves the city.

Promo time.

 The debt is due. 

In “Rydin’ High” (Book 1) it’s 1973 when Ryder’s rock-and-roll dream became reality. By 1980, his band Rydin’ High was on top of the world. But behind the music lay a volatile web of love, betrayal, and a dark secret.

How do the bandmates fare? Find out in “Still Rydin’ High” (Book 2) … Ryder’s marriage to his bassist, Reine, is a storm of intense passion and explosive breakups. During one weeks-long separation, the lines blur. Ryder crosses the line with Pepper—his best mate who’s secretly loved him for years. Just as their bond deepens … Reine returns. Meanwhile, bandmate Rags is spiralling. A near-death incident forces him to sober up and face the family he’s neglected. For five years, they had it all. But the three men had previously sold their souls in jest. Now, time has run out. Ryder must fulfil a contract he never knew he signed.

[image error] Buy “Rydin’ High” (Book 1) and “Still Rydin’ High” (Book 2) at Amazon or your fave go-to marketplace.

As mentioned in the odd post, TV serves more as background noise [for me] than anything else. On occasion, though, something catches my eye/fancy and I’m hooked … and usually it’s something popular years ago. But better late than never. 

Yearning for a good Brit mystery, Rosemary & Thyme popped up as a suggestion. Okay, I’ll bite. Though my preference leans toward dark, grim, and gritty, this show proved utterly charming … a mystery series entertaining in its simplicity and serenity. Ambient settings, tranquil towns, picturesque villages, and beautiful historical landscapes serve as beautiful backdrops.

Running from 2003 to 2007, Rosemary & Thyme features two stellar actresses—Felicity Kendal as Rosemary Boxer and Pam Ferris as Laura Thyme. One woman’s dealing with a messy separation from a wayward husband; the other’s reeling from an unexpected dismissal from her university post. Stripped of their old lives/occupations, these two resilient women discover a shared passion for gardening. Instead of waiting for the storm(s) to pass, they reinvent themselves and transform their love for plants/greenery into a thriving, professional landscaping business.

This spirited, successful twosome is regularly booked to revamp the gardens of luxury estates and historic institutions. But their landscaping contracts come with an unexpected consequence: a mounting body count.

Every new plot of land brings a fresh corpse, forcing them to swap sun hats for deerstalker caps and play Sherlock Holmes. Can they prune away the clues and catch the killers, or will they become the next victims buried in the yard? Only one way to find out: take a gander!

Mid-Year Milestones: Celebrating a Historic Week for North America

It’s officially the midpoint of the year, and if you look across North America, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate. This week, the continent is buzzing as two substantial neighbors mark incredible historical birthdays! Woo-hoo!

On July 1st, Canada turned a vibrant 159 years young. Today, three days later on July 4th, the US is celebrating a massive milestone: its 250th birthday.

One Landmass, Two Unique Stories

While we share one mammoth landmass, our paths to the modern day took different paths and look quite different. Canada and the US have uniquely shaped their own cultures, laws, and identities over the centuries.

Yet, despite separate borders, our core connections run exceptionally deep. 

Allies, Competitors, and Friends

We have a massive amount in common, from our shared economic ties to our love of sports, pop culture, and democratic values. At the same time, we have distinct differences—and that’s how it should be.

Our differences keep things interesting if not sometimes intense. They make us fierce competitors on the world stage, whether in trade or on the field, but they also bond us as loyal allies when it matters most.

As we look toward the second half of the year, it’s the perfect time to celebrate our unique relationship and friendship.

Happy Birthday, Canada, and Happy 250th, America! God bless.

… …in all things. Our friends. Families. Countries. … Accomplishments. Opinions. Attitudes. … Individualities. Ourselves.

It’s a time to acknowledge and embrace every person’s authenticity, and disavow the prejudice that still, sadly, exists. Freedom should exist for all, regardless of personal beliefs and stances.

The T2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual) community has come far over the years and will continue to move forward. Slowly perhaps, but [most assuredly] surely.

Tomorrow marks another [fantastic] Pride Parade in T.O. A million, give or take, will come to view the multi-hour spectacle—some to offer heartfelt support, others to watch the pageantry display.

In the early days of the parade, partakers were heckled and had eggs thrown at them. And yet they continued, proud of who and what they were and are.

It’s time to cast aside jeering and mocking, abusing and bashing, and stand strong—and take pride—together.

If you only see the colorful costumes and hear the upbeat music, you’re missing the point. The celebration goes beyond being a festive parade; it’s a hard-won victory over jeering, hatred [and/or ignorance], and division. Pride isn’t a passive emotion but an active stance. Tomorrow, come for the spectacle but stay for the solidarity.

Happy Pride!

Not only is Rydin’ High (Book 1) available in various marketplaces … Still Rydin’ High (Book 2) is as well … and now, The Soul of Rock-n-Roll (Book 3) is too! Woo-hoo!

Rydin’ High follows the adventures (trials and tribulations) of Ryder Wolfe and his bandmates—Reine, Pepper, and Rags—as they ride the rollercoaster ride of fame and success during the 80s. Book 1 follows them from the days of playing gigs in dirty dives to traveling across the big pond and attracting a fanbase. They’re on their way to ridin’ high … though it’s not necessarily a smooth ride.

Still Rydin’ High continues to follow the band’s rise to fame. The rock-n-roll lifestyle is enticing if not intoxicating. It affects each band member differently—with one member nearly losing his life to it. Relationships are frequently challenged. Will Ryder and Reine’s marriage survive? What of Pepper’s affection for Ryder? Does Rags’ roving eye (and libido) finally settle …?

In The Soul of Rock-n-Roll, Wild Child’s frontman, Slider Wilde, is certain he served as the role model for the protagonist in the award-winning book, Rydin’ High. Renowned author Daryn Solstice and her agent maintain emphatically he was not. Professional clashes lead to personal ones and Slider and Daryn’s relationship appears as much a rollercoaster ride as the world of rock-and-roll. They traverse twists and turns that threaten to steer them off the tracks … perhaps so far off, they prove otherworldly.

The Soul of Rock-n-Roll is available in these marketplaces:

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H5BYB431

APPLE BOOKS: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-soul-of-rock-n-roll/id6778702618

BARNES & NOBLE: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-soul-of-rock-n-roll-tyler-colins/1150370008?ean=2940183041989

GOOGLE BOOKS: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=-zLkEQAAQBAJ

RAKUTEN KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/ebook/the-soul-of-rock-n-roll

Perhaps you’ll check one or more out?  If you do, I’d be most grateful if you’d leave a review on one of the sites.

So, I can’t not do a quick post re Rydin’ High (I need to promote this puppy—it’s my magnum opus, a step in a different direction). 

Short and sweet: I’m sharing the new trailer for the book … I love it … and I hope you do too.

[And should you ever feel compelled to read it—and I so hope you do—perhaps you could leave a review on one of the book marketplace sites.]

It was a toss-up whether to post about Rydin’ High [again] or soccer fever (given T.O. is hosting some of the games). So, as I sometimes do when undecided/conflicted, I flip a coin. Unfortunately, it rolled under the stove. Note to self: add “clean under stove” to this week’s To-Do-Task List.

Whenever a city’s down to the final winner-take-all game(s) of a sport or there’s excitement about a global event like the anticipated FIFA World Cup, it generates positive energy. Which we’re all in great need of given what’s transpiring universally and/or locally.

T.O.’s eagerness of FIFA matches has accelerated over the months … and erupted this past Friday when Canada and Bosnia played a fine game, with a 1-1 draw. The cheers were loud. And proud. In the event you’ve not been paying attention (tsk), Cyle Larin scored the Canadian point in the 78th minute. Woo-hoo.

The momentum continues, with Canada playing Qatar on June 18th and Switzerland on the 24th. While those are central to those living in the Great White North. There are certainly other matches to watch and teams to root for. After all, we are a “sporting” bunch. 

“Eyes wide shut” describes me the last few years.  Going through the motions and allowing the chips to fall where they may.

Granted, there were reasons why I couldn’t move beyond the social media / technical realm—working 50+ hour weeks, mom-care, and writing/editing rather limited the time and capacity to learn; social media was FB and INSTA, and my blog of course.

Now that I’ve written three Rock-n-Rollercoaster books (and my publisher decided to speed-produce them, LOL)—and I’m gung-ho on promoting them—it was/is time to discover the methods [and madness] of doing that.

Speaking of eyes, I’m the proverbial deer caught in the convoy headlights. There is so much (!) to know and do. Thankfully, I’ve had [much needed and much appreciated] help! Talented, multi-genre author E. Denise Billups provided wonderful advice (email update soon, Denise) and PA Megan Killingbeck, is helping me put [newly acquired] knowledge into action.

I’ll be posting about Rydin’ High a lot over the next wee while … and introducing Still Rydin’ High (the sequel / Book II) … because it’s out on Amazon (discovery of the day).

Life’s going to get interesting, and certainly challenging. But who doesn’t like a trial or tribulation or two? It keeps us on our toes … and me ever learning.

I’ll end this on a relatively shameless plug: if you’re looking for an entertaining rock-and-roll-setting summer read, maybe you’ll consider Rydin’ High and Still Rydin’ High.