SS50 Richmond St, London

SS50 Richmond Street, London

The final streetscape of the series.

For me the most interesting of all buildings and/or blocks of buildings in downtown London is the stretch on the east side of Richmond Street, between King and York. Streetscape No. 49 starts at King and Streetscape No. 50 ends at York, put together, the whole impressive block. All the detail around the 2^nd and 3^rd floor windows is amazing, somewhat the same, yet all different.

SS49 Richmond St, London

SS49 Richmond Street, London

For me the most interesting of all buildings and/or blocks of buildings in downtown London is the stretch on the east side of Richmond Street, between King and York. Streetscape No. 49 starts at King and Streetscape No. 50 ends at York, put together, the whole impressive block. All the detail around the 2^nd and 3^rd floor windows is amazing, somewhat the same, yet all different.

SS48 York & Clarence

SS48 York and Clarence Street, London

Located at York Street and Clarence Street is Call the Office, a bar at the corner of York Street and Clarence Street, with decades of history. (From www.neighbourgoodguide.ca) “Formally known as The York Hotel, CTO was once the hang out for the likes of Greg Curnoe, The Nilist Spasm Band and Jack Chambers. Now you can expect any given band on any given day of the week to stop in and play a show. Yes, the bathrooms have seen better days and the monitors have 20 years worth of spilt beer in them but that's why it's a gem. Everyone from Radiohead to local heros The Matadors have rocked the stage of Call the Office.“

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")

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".

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.

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.

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)

Miniature show at Art Exchange



SS20 Richmond Tavern, London

I have been working on some miniatures for the 7th Annual Juried Miniature Show at the Art Exchange. An opening reception will be held on Friday, February 3, at 7:30pm.  I have finished a couple small streetscapes, this one will not be entered. 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.

Cortona, Italy, Streetscape

Another streetscape completed on location in Cortona Italy.

SS08 Cortona, Italy

Cortona, Italy, Streetscape

Once I got a feel for Cortona I looked for streetscapes to draw. Not only did I have to find an interesting street and architecture, but I had to find a shady spot to sit, where I wasn't in the way of traffic, rather difficult on those narrow streets.  Weather was perfect our whole trip, too hot to sit in sun, but perfect when sitting in the shade. Drawing completed on location.

SS07 Cortona, Italy

SS01 Talbot Street, London

SS01, Talbot Street, London, ON

Another streetscape of beautiful, downtown London. The distinctive Victorian architecture of the Talbot Inn, was incorporated into the new London Sports and Entertainment Centre (JLC) shown in this ink and graphite drawing, size 4" x 12". 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." More info:  Talbot Inn.

Image size: 4" x 12"
Matted with 2" border all around, outside diminsion: 8" x 16"
Price is $65.00

North Middlesex History

Over the past few months, I have been doing some drawings of historical architecture of North Middlesex county. I will have a booth at their celebrations this weekend, Friday night and Saturday morning at the North Middlesex Community Centre in Parkhill. Included will be streetscapes, churches and beautiful old barns. This is my favourite "Parkhill Streetscape No. 3" an ink drawing measuring 4" x 9", double matted to 9" x 14" in size.

Phillie with Colour

There is a small street close to The Clay Studio called Elfreth's Alley. I felt like it was 2007 and I was back in France. "While a modern city has sprung up around it, the Alley preserves three centuries of evolution through its old-fashioned flower boxes, shutters, Flemish bond brickwork and other architectural details. Butchers. Bakers. Candlestick-makers. Named for blacksmith and property-owner Jeremiah Elfreth, Elfreth’s Alley was home to the 18th century artisans and trades-people who were the backbone of colonial Philadelphia. " This ink drawing with some added colour, is from photo reference. The order of homes is not exact, but it gives the feel of the street as I seen it.

This drawing is for sale on RadfordArt on Etsy.
Cost is $65.00 Canadian plus shipping.

Philadelphia Streetscape No. 2