SS26 Dundas St, London

SS26 Dundas Street, London

Miniature size. I took this photo reference while walking to Old East Village. The London Ale House boasts 14 beers on tap and more than 40 craft beers among its selections. Can’t say for sure as I have never been there, really should go there.  The warm colour of the beer sign caught my attention, had to add the colour, which is not normal for me.

SS25 Dundas St, London

229 Dundas Street, the London Mechanics Institute Building, a four storey white, brick library building was constructed in 1876. [www.historicplaces.ca] This impressive landmark in the downtown area was constructed in 1876 under a design prepared by Thomas Tracy of the London architecture firm of Robinson, Tracy and Fairbairne. Despite this worthwhile goal, the objectives of the London Mechanics Institute were not realized and it eventually faded out of existence and its educational functions were taken on by the public library system. Image size is 4" x 3".

SS24 Richmond St, London

SS24 Richmond Street, London

Richmond and Dundas Street, smack dab in the heart of downtown London. Street level brings an eclectic selection of business: pawn shops, variety stores, restaurants and jewellery stores. Uppers levels: beautiful details around the window and at the rooflines. Image size is 4” x 13.5”.

SS23 Dundas St, London

SS23 Dundas Street London

Taken from Article by Jane Sims - The Capitol Theatre and Bowles building, once thought to be too derelict to restore, have made majestic comebacks on London's Dundas Street, breathing new life into a block of core buildings between Clarence and Richmond streets that badly need a new draw. London developer Shmuel Farhi and the City of London who came together with an idea that would save the buildings. The Capitol was built in 1920 and was known as the Allen. It had a long lobby with mirrored walls that led to a large theatre. But after the years of neglect, it became a Dundas Street eyesore with a sign on its marquee that said R.I.P. The Bowles building was added in 1928, and was a restaurant and a jewelry store.

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".

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

SS15 Richmond St, London

SS15 Richmond St. London

This is Richmond Street north of King Street. Szeminykei Kirwin Mackenzie Law Firm on left is a little modern, but makes an interesting contrast to the historic Richmond Tavern. 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.

SS14 Covent Market Place

SS14 Covent Market Place, London

Covent Market Place downtown by the Market with businesses as Fodemesi Shoes (In 1949 Frank Fodemesi Sr. founded this family-owned and operated business, crafting custom-made shoes, boots and skates), Braise Hotel, apparently closed in late March 2012 and Robertson Hall Restaurant.
First refernece drawing completed on location, this one completed with photo reference..  A great space - the tables in front of market makes location drawing convenient.

SS13 Venice, Italy

SS13 Venice, Italy

I sat on the bridge outside the "Istituto Canossiano" in Venice, Italy.  The Institute is located in the historic centre of Venice in the Dorsoduro district, a wonderful place to stay.

SS12 Venice, Italy

SS12 Venice, Italy

This location was a short walk from the "Istituto Canossiano" where we stayed. A little less architecture and a little more water, boats and street level architecture.

SS11 Venice, Italy

SS11 Venice, Italy

This location was just down the canal from the "Istituto Canossiano" in Venice, Italy. The Institute is located in the historic centre of Venice in the Dorsoduro district, a wonderful place to stay.

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

SS10 Venice, Italy

SS10 Venice, Italy

Drawing completed on location September 2011, with Novacks Avid Traveller -Artists in Italy. Second portion of our trip we stayed in the historic city of Venice. Location was the view cross the canal from the "Istituto Canossiano" in Venice, Italy. The Institute is located in the historic centre of Venice in the Dorsoduro district, a wonderful place to stay.

SS09 Cortona, Italy

SS09 Cortona, Italy

Drawing completed on location September 2011, with Novacks Avid Traveller -Artists in Italy. First portion of our trip we stayed in Cortona, a Tuscan hill town. Walking here you could not get lost, you were either walking up hill or downhill. In the centre of town there was the main piazza, P. Della Repubblca, with some lovely street cafés and shops.

SS08 Cortona, Italy

SS08 Cortona, Italy

The next streetscape completed on location in Cortona, Italy in September 2011.

SS07 Cortona, Italy

SS07 Cortona Italy

Second streetscape completed on location while in Cortuna Ilaly in September 2011.

SS06 Cortona, Italy

SS06 Cortona, Italy

Drawing completed on location September 2011, with Novacks Avid Traveller -Artists in Italy. First portion of our trip we stayed in Cortona, a Tuscan hill town. Walking here you could not get lost, you were either walking up hill or downhill. This drawing is near the Plaza Mazzini entrance to the walled city, with vines growing over and thru the wall and one small clothesline hanging from window.

Believe it or not, Cortona, was a well-known Umbrian hill town before Frances Mayes wrote about renovating her house, “Casa Bramasole”, near here. (Under a Tuscan Sun). Cortona is a small but fascinating city in the province of Arezzo, Tuscany, central Italy, situated on a commanding hill, and overlooking Lake Trasimeno. Its cyclopean walls reveal its Etruscan origins.

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

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.