SS47 York St, London

SS47 York Street, London

174-184 York street is Bud Gowan Formal Wear. They sell high quality men's clothing, although the building (sign) does not reflect that... I drew the sign in whole, which in reality is ripped and torn completely in the middle section. Next door (186 York Street) is Gardner Galleries, with 5 levels and a rare terra cotta exterior. I could not find much information on either of these buildings.

SS46 Dundas & Adelaide

SS45 Dundas St and Adelaide St, London

When I took photo reference of this corner, I was surprised to see the date on the corner said 1867. According to London Public Library reference, this is still a mystery, as there were no buildings on the site at that date. .

Charles Lilley moved to London as a young man, was a telegraph operator before becoming a grocer and also ran the Crown Hotel. In 1871, he built this two-storey block on the corner of Adelaide and Dundas Street. The post office took the name “Lilley’s Corners” when it was opened in 1872, with Charles Lilley as postmaster.

SS44 Richmond St, London

SS44 Richmond Street, London

Another Richmond Street streetscape, this is close to Victoria Park area. Coffee Culture, P’lovers (since closed), Romans Leather, and Executive Travel. I have to admit, this is one of my least favourite streetscapes that I have done, I prefer black and white. (size 4" x 10")

SS43 Dundas St

SS43 Dundas Street, London

Many of my drawings have been downtown locations, but because I now work in Old East Village, I have shifted some focus to the east end.  This streetscape drawing of Dundas Street measures 2.5" x 4". Silk Road Furniture offers quality new and used furniture at incredibly low prices, located right next door to the London Clay Art Centre, where I am working. Other building is The Diner, now closed, but I have heard rumours about it reopening with new owners. (size 2.5" x 4")

SS42 Talbot St, London

SS42 Talbot Street, London

I worked at MC Group for almost 15 years and part of the time was spent at 350 Talbot Street. Built in 1890, this building is associated with Massey-Harris Co. Ltd, a Canadian manufacturer of agricultural implements.
This was a showroom and repair shop for the company until 1950. This is a good representation of Romanesque Revival commercial architecture, a  style that shows strength and solidity with the rusticated stone-block base and stone coursing on the building facade. Large arched window openings and a vehicular archway on the first storey are also typical of Romanesque design.  (size 3" x 4")

SS39 Palace Theatre

SS39 Palace Theatre, London

Old East Village not only has historical architecture, it has a growing arts community, which includes The Palace Theatre and London Clay Art Centre, where I currently work.
From www.palacetheatre.ca:  Palace Theatre has a significant and storied history dating back to the 1900’s. Originally built in 1929 as a silent movie theatre, the Palace Theatre was noted as one of the finest establishments of its kind in the entire world. (size 3" x 4")

SS38 King & Richmond St

SS38 King and Richmond Street, London

The corner of King Street and Richmond Street in London, former Imperial Bank of Canada. (size 3" x 4")

SS37 Talbot & King St

SS37 Talbot and King Street, London

This great old building at the corner of Talbot and King Street was the commercial block for John Burridge, built back in 1881. I worked across the street at MC Group for a number of years, so I walked by it at least twice daily. I always admired the decorative detailing and the contrasting yellow and orange/red brick. The architect was William A. Joanes of London, Ontario. (size 3" x 4")

SS36 Ridout St, London

SS36 Ridout Street, London

This building on Ridout Street, just north of Queens Ave in London, currently houses the Nancy Campbell Collegiate private school, originally built as early as 1835. This building was part of a group of structures known as "Bankers' Row" because of the presence of five branch offices here. In 1970, after years of neglect and deterioration, John Labatt Limited restored this building (and some other building on street) to help preserve the rich heritage of this street. Beautiful yellow bricks with black trim. (SIZE 3" X 4")

SS28 Dundas St, London

SS28 Dundas Street, London

Three – four storey buildings on Dundas street, all with painted brick, all with the paint peeling off. Street level: Wok’n chopsticks and 2 for 1 pizza (– odd combination), London Casbah, and London Rock, a store with punk, rock and metal clothing, have never been there. I find I tend to slant to left on my drawings, this one really slants to the left.

SS22 Clarence St, London

SS22 Clarence Street, London

Solid Gold on Clarence Street, yes it’s a strip club. So forget that part and just look at the building. The sign at top of building says 1876. Beautiful detailing around the windows and roofline. I couldn’t find out much about this building. Miniature Size 3" x 4"

SS21 Carling St, London

SS21 Carling Steet, London

Carling Street, looking towards Richmond Street. This one is different than most of the series, in more ways than one
1) was on “whiter” paper, yes that was a mistake
2) not an elevation or corner view
3) looking down a street  with cars lining the street, pedestrians walking
4) impression of modern buildings in background, I usually left them out
Miniature Size 3" x 4".

SS20 Richmond Tavern

SS20 Richmond Tavern, London

The historic Richmond Tavern, corner of Richmond and King. This is what I have found out about this local watering hole ... the original building was constructed in 1852 and at the time was called the Revere House. 10 years later, the building was doubled in size and became known as the Richmond Hotel. This establishment has been continuously operating for over 150 years.  Miniature size: its very challenging to draw buildings this small, 3" x 4", figurative work is much easier (and much more fun) to create in this size…. Although after completing a few, it got much easier. Miniature Size 3" x 4".

SS05 Dundas St, London

SS05 Dundas Street, London

What says history and London more than Kingsmill's. This family run business was established in 1865 by Thomas Frazer Kingsmill, an Irish immigrant. The Kingsmill family continues to offer fine products and services from this art deco style building in downtown London. Keep walking down Dundas Street and you find - The Met, which dates to 1890, currently (has closed since I completed this) an artisans weekend market. This location was Canadian head office for Metropolitan Department Stores, and also a Bargain Harold’s, Saan and Red Apple.

SS01 Talbot Street, London

SS01 Talbot Street, London

This was a request from a gentleman who grew up in London and moved to BC. He wanted a reminder of London and suggested the Talbot Block or JLC… this became the first streetscape in the series of Streetscapes: 50 in 50.

The distinctive Victorian architecture of the Talbot Inn, was incorporated into the new London Sports and Entertainment Centre (JLC). As long time fan and supporter of the London Knights, I have spent allot of time in this building, including the historic season when the Knights broke a CHL record, going 31 games in a row without a loss (29-0-2). Having said that, I was also witness to the record breaking season of 1995-96 at the old Ice House, south of the 401, when the Knights set a record for winning only three games all season (3-60-3).  "This building was originally constructed as the Hope Hotel in the 1840s by William Balkwill. It burnt down in January 1865 and was reopened in September 1865 as the City Hotel. It was renamed the Belvedere in 1871 and later the Talbot Inn. The building was demolished in 2001 and its facade was recreated on the John Labatt Centre which opened on the site in 2002." From London Public Library.

East London

SS32 Dundas Street, London

Now working in east London, I am walking to work a couple of days a week. I enjoy walking in a different part of the city. I usually walk downtown, so most of my drawings have been downtown. This streetscape... Dundas Street just east of Adelaide Street, measures 3.5" x 4.5", still working quite small. (from photo I took on way to work)

Sketching Dundas Steet

Before work on Wednesday, spent a couple of hours sketching downtown. This is view of Dundas Steet, north side, from 3rd floor of library. Started drawing the interesting brickwork on facade of The Yew Tree building, with the contrasting One Londo Place in background. Next door to that is Attic Books. I had never been there, and I had a  few estra minutes before work, so I stopped in.

Attic Books is one of the largest second hand booksellers in the country. I purchased "Historic Streetscapes of Huron County"  from April 1981, written and illustrated by Nicholas Hill. What great little book with lovely pen and ink drawings from all the small towns of Huron County, where I grew up. Interesting I was not charged tax, because it was local history book.

Sketch of Dundas Street

SS05 Dundas Street, London

Another streetscape of downtown London, Ontario.

What says history and London more than Kingsmill's. This family run business was established in 1865 by Thomas Frazer Kingsmill, an Irish immigrant. The Kingsmill family continues to offer fine products and services from this art deco style building in downtown London. Keep walking down Dundas Street and you find - The Met, which dates to 1890, currently an artisans weekend market. This location was Canadian head office for Metropolitan Department Stores, and also a Bargain Harold’s, Saan and Red Apple.

SS05 Dundas Street, London, ON

New sketch book

Well, not really new. Came across this sketchbook in the basement, can't remember when I bought it. Both my other 2 sketch books are full, so I have a new small sketch book... small, being just 4.5" x 4.5", its small enought to fit in my purse or pocket.

On Thursday before going to work, stopped at Starbucks for coffee and had enough time for a sketch of Richmond and Dundas Street corner. Its very busy there at that time of day, so I really should have put some people in drawing. Next time.

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Sketching the white stuff

Can't remember last time I spent time sketching the white stuff. The walk to work by the Thames River. No plein air this time of year. Snapped some photos while walking to work and did some quick sketches.