def get_canvas_and_axes(self):
        """

        """
        if self.axes is not None: 
            self.canvas = None
            self.external_axis = True
        else:
            self.canvas = toyplot.Canvas(
                height=self.style.height,
                width=self.style.width,
            )
            self.axes = self.canvas.cartesian(
                padding=self.style.padding
            )