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.

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")

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.

SS27 King St, London

SS27 King Street, London

Victorian-era building in the heart of downtown London, Ontario. The Salt Lounge, may now be closed. Not sure if this history is fact or not… The building was built in 1890 by W.J. Thompson and ran for nine months as the Thompson House. John Fraser bought the hotel in June 1891 and the name was changed to the Fraser House. In 1951 it was sold after being owned by the Fraser family for 60 years. The name was then changed to the Royal Alex.

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".

SS19 Richmond St, London

SS19 Richmond Street, London

I have lived and worked in downtown London or close to the downtown for approximately thirty years. I always enjoyed being able to walk to work. This is Richmond Street, between King and York Street, one of the most historic and beautiful blocks in the downtown. The architectural details of the upper floors are all slightly different, which gives the street extra character. Miniature Size 3' x 4".

SS18 Richmond St, London

SS18 Richmond Street, London

Richmond Street between King and York. Includes business:  Los Comales, with a variety of authentic dishes from Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, and Nicaragua.  The Organic Traveller, a marijuana paraphernalia store which still holds the distinction of being the first shop in the country solely dedicated to pot smoking and marijuana education. Hardcore Tattoo and Kangaroo Variety, an interesting variety of shops in this stretch of Richmond Street. Size is 6” x 9”

SS17 Blyth, ON

SS17 Blyth, ON

For some, Blyth is known as "Canada's Leather Fashion District" with two large leather outlets. "Bainton's" on Queen Street and "The Old Mill" located on #4 Highway one mile south of the community. For others, Blyth is known for the Blyth Festival which boosts live Canadian theatre in the restored c1920 Memorial Community Hall.

This streetscape is across from the Memorial Hall. The Blyth Inn at the corner of Queen & Dinsley is an early 1900's structure uniquely built of precast concrete "stones". This local establishment is affectionately known as “the boot” for anyone born and raised in Huron County.

SS16 Richmond St, London

SS16 Richmond Street, London

This 3 storey streetscape with the traditional business section at street level and apartments (presumably) over is in the heart of downtown London between Dundas Street and Queens Ave. The design is simple. There is elaborate detailing around the all the windows and roofline. Drawn from photo reference

SS04 Grand Bend, ON

SS04 Grand Bend, Ontario

Grand Bend is a town that has been around since 1800`s. Growing up in Huron County, this was a sun worshippers paradise and the place to be in the summer. Today, it has a new streetscape, new street lamps, concrete paving stone, sidewalks and new road surface. Here all roads lead to the beach, after all Grand Bend is known for its world class sunsets.

SS03 Exeter, ON



SS03 Exeter, ON

My drive from Londesboro (where I was born) to London (where I live now) is Exeter, home of the white squirrel, although I have never seen one. Exeter was founded 1832 by Irish settlers James and Jan Willis. For more history of Exeter, this is an interesting website: www.ourroots.ca (Canada’s Local Histories Online). “A History of Exeter, Ontario” by Joseph L. Wooden, written in 1973 – Exeters Centennial year. This complete book, over 300 pages is here, along with many, many others.

SS02 Bayfield, ON

SS02 Bayfield, ON

This is a streetscape of village of Bayfield, a rural village with gourmet dining, art galleries, boutiques and historic buildings. With a mere 900 permanent residents to that swells to over 2500 in summer, this quaint Lake Huron town has allot to offer. This is a small portion of Mainstreet, Bayfield, a historic portion that dates back to 1850. Here is the Albion Hotel, with its original Georgian Colonial architecture and the beautifully restored Black Dog Village Pub and Bistro, circa 1850.

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

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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London Streetscape

London Streetscape No. 1 (ink and graphite, 5.5" x 13")

After taking some photos at the London Arts Council of paintings from Art Rental and Sales Gallery, I was admiring the architecture on Dundas Street from Clarence to Richmond. I noticed this plague at the top of the building "Duffield Block 1876" A simple search tells me "In 1871, Joseph Spettigue built Spettigue Hall (later the Duffield Block) which contained an elegant 663-seat concert hall on the second floor. Designed in the Second Empire Style, the structure was 197 feet long, 63 feet high, and cost $12,000 to construct." (See Duffield Block for more information).

I took some reference photos and this is the streetscape drawing I did.

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.