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.

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.

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.

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’

Untitled Female No. 15

Untitled Female No. 15

Completed this one just a few weeks ago, but original gesture was from figure drawing session at TAP on April 4, 2011. Model was Gina, tall thin and graceful, which made it easy to stylize. Playing with simplicity of line and freedom of watercolour.