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.

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")

SS41 Courthouse Sq.

SS41 Courthouse Square, Goderich

I spent 2 summers living in Goderich, Canada's Prettiest Town. My plan was to shot some reference photography of the beautiful and historic Courthouse Square and Park, while there for a family wedding in September. But on Sunday, August 21 major damage was done by the destructive tornado, so that did not happen. Finally on March 23 of this year, I was able to get there to take some pictures. I choose this block, mainly because it did not have much damage. There is one store boarded up with a sign reading RE OPENING SOON, just a hint of the destruction. (size 3.5 x 10.5)

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.

Streetscapes: 50 in 50

This series of Streetscapes: 50 in 50, is a yearlong project in honour of turning 50 in May 2011. This fascination with architecture started in 2007 with an art trip to France and a plein air drawing of a Limoux, France streetscape. The first drawing was drawn one building at a time, after completing a section, I would move down the street and draw the next section and so on, completing a front elevation style streetscape. After coming back, I started to take more notice of the architecture here in London. I had to travel half way around the world to appreciate what was right here at home.

The idea or inspiration for doing this series of Streetscapes: 50 in 50, came from Kym Wolfe, a friend from London Talbot Toastmasters. When Kym turned 50, she did 50 things she had never done before. This is my twist of Kym’s venture.

The drawings are a combination of ink, graphite and watercolour. Image size ranges from miniature to 8” x 13”. Streetscape locations include: Huron County towns, Italy but the majority of the 50 are downtown London.

So for the next 50 days, I will post one per day…. A virtual exhibit ‘Streetscapes: 50 in 50’

Clinton, Ontario

SS40, Albert and Victoria Street, Clinton

I was born and raised near Londesboro, and attended high school in Clinton, ON. The corner of Albert and Victoria Street (main corner in Clinton) there is a wealth of late nineteen century architecture. In 1857, Clinton became first incorporated village in Huron County, then in 1876 incorporated as a town, and reached the peak of its development in 1890’s.