Geraniums by the Door

Geraniums by the Door

Yellow brick building with red brick detailing. Bricks are one of the oldest known building materials. The colour of brick depends on the amount of iron naturally found in the clay used. The "buff" or "yellow brick" commonly found in southwestern Ontario has less iron in it than the clay that produced the orange or red brick. The "Red brick" is more commonly found in the Windsor area, due to the clay deposits along the St. Clair River that have a higher iron content. Of course today, additives blended into the clay mixture can create different colors.

Sweet Onion Grill

Sweet Onion Grill

The Sweet Onion Grill is located at 135 Wortley Road. Another image that is on display at Westland Gallery for the Art of Old South, until December 24.

Title: Sweet Onion Grill
Medium: Ink and Watercolour
Image Size: 3.5 x 5.25

Corks

Corks No 2

Corks No 3

A couple of works that are not architecture, and no I didn't spill red wine. These are both at "The Art of Old South" Show at Westland Gallery, from now until December 24. Image: Ink and Watercolour, Image Size: 6" x 6", Framed Size: 12" x 12"

Art of Old South

 

Opening this Friday, November 29 @ 7:30

 

Heaven Scent

Another picture that will be in the Art of Old South Show at The Westland Gallery in Wortley Village. November 26 - December 24, 2013 with Reception Saturday, Dec. 7th, 10 - 4pm. Friday, November 29^th at 7:30pm.

Title: Heaven Scent
Medium: Ink and Watercolour
Image Size: 5" x 2.5"

At the end of the interlocking brick walkway, among trees and flowers is Heaven Scent. Described on their website as "London's Hidden Treasure of Natural and Holistic Gifts and Pleasures", this business is located in a beautiful old yellow brick house.


Heaven Scent

The Art of Old South

"The Art of Old South" from November 26 - December 24, 2013 with Reception Saturday, Dec. 7th, 10 - 4pm. Friday, November 29^th at 7:30pm. This show will feature the art of Susan Garrington, Len Hughes, Amelia Husnik and myself at The Westland Gallery in Wortley Village.

Title: Normal School Tower
Medium: Ink and Watercolour
Image Size: 5" x 2.5" 

London Normal School, located a 165 Elmwood Avenue East occupies one whole city block bounded by Elmwood Avenue East, Wortley Road, Marley Place, and Duchess Avenue. This historic building was designed in the high Victorian style by architect Francis Heakes and was constructed in 1898-1899.

Normal School Tower

Barhop into History

Invite to Party

Well it's been quite a year! When we started we were aiming to have a finished book by October 2013. There were times we had our doubts, but in the end everything worked out and we are going to meet that deadline with a day or two to spare. And we are so ready to celebrate!

We would love it if you could join us Nov. 16 at the Richmond Tavern, corner of Richmond and King streets.

Hope to see you there,

Cheers!

Cheryl and Kym

New Project

 I am busy working on a book called Bar Hopping into History. Therefore I won't be posting anything new on this blog for a while. To see the progress / process of the book, please visit: http://www.barhoppingintohistory.blogspot.ca/





 

"Hold my Beer"

Sketchbook - Boot Hill Jam

The 5th Annual Boot Hill Jamboree was this civic holiday weekend. Great weather and an impressive line up of country artists, made for most successful event to date. I spent one day helping out with random jobs. I seen one act, Aaron Pritchett, 10pm on Saturday night. Since I do not listen to country music, I am not familiar with him or his music. He put on a great show, energetic and entertaining. One of his most famous songs is "Hold My Beer" and some of the words are....

"And hold my beer
While I kiss you're girlfriend
cause she needs a real man
and not a chump like you-ou"

Yes, the fans really get into it. Everyone know those words. It was fun.

Bar Hopping into History

This will be a short book highlighting approximately 12 London taverns that are in historically significant buildings, starting with the three original “survivors”. Other taverns under consideration will fall into the following categories: old and interesting, re-purposed commercial buildings and re-purposed residential buildings. The working title for the book is “Bar Hopping into History”. The goal is to engage Londoners to learn more about the rich history of our city through the exploration of a few selected local taverns.

Follow the Journey - barhoppingintohistory.blogspot.ca

Frontenac Club Inn

The golf vacation ended with a night a Frontenac Club Inn Bed and Breakfast, a historically designated limestone building in downtown Kingston. The Inn once housed the Bank of Montreal (1845), which mandated employees to live on site... on the third floor of the building. Another portion of building was built in 1826 for members of the Cartwright Family. All joined together makes this charming Bed and Breakfast today.

Read more about the interesting history of buildings.

Sketchbook, Frontenac Club Inn

Ottawa & Quebec Golf

Great few days of golfing. Last Sunday drove to Ottawa. Over the course of 5 days we play 5 courses from Ottawa to Montreal area. My favourite being Le Maitre... because of the scenery. Extremely hot all week! All ink sketches done on location, while golfing, colour added later.

Eagle Creek Golf Club, Ottawa - Just a short drive from Ottawa in the natural surroundings. Great views from clubhouse, first and tenth tee boxes of the 230 acres of forest, creeks and ponds. Most famous finishing hole in the area,  a 573-yard dogleg wraps around a 16-acre lake, tempting many players to risk going for the green in two.

Sketchbook, Eagle Creek

Club de Golf Islesmere, Laval Quebec - There are 27 holes at this tree-lined, historic old course, established in 1919. This course boasts having held many professional tournaments over the years, including the men’s and women’s Canadian Opens, two Canadian PGA Championships, the Quebec Open, and the Montreal Open. Played my best round here (86) and finished just before the rains came.

Sketchbook, Islesmere Golf Course

Rained out after 6 holes on Friday. Drove thru that nasty storm on way home. I have never seen the sky change so fast so many times! From sunny to nasty to sunny with beautiful rainbows, and repeat and repeat.

Golf at Greenhills

Golfed at Greenhills Golf Club yesterday. Very hot, very humid, but I like the heat, I usually play better. This is hole number 17. I was sitting to the left of the ladies tee box waiting. Yes, that is a tree in the middle of the fairway. If you hit a high ball its an easy hole, if you don't, it can be challenging to go under, thru or around. I hit my seven wood very high, so I have no problem to go over, then a wedge over the creek and on to the green, but I three putted for a bogey!

Sketchbook: Greenhills

Weekend of Golf

Canada Day Long weekend included lots of golf! On Saturday, we played RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton. On Sunday, we played Blue Springs Golf Club in Action. And Monday back to Greenhills to play in Canada Day Tournament.

 

While golfing I only have time for quick ink sketch. I apply watercolour when I get home.

 

Sketchbook, Rattlesnake Point

Sketchbook, Bluespring

The Church Key Bistro Pub

More research for the upcoming book ... "Barhopping into History" took us to this pub for a beverage.

The Church Key Bistro Pub at 476 Richmond Street follows in the British tradition of the “gastro pub” … a bar / restaurant that serves high-end beer and food. This building was the London Mutual Fire Insurance Building, built in the 19 century. The elaborate front façade has Corinthian capitals atop granite columns with large amounts of stone on lower level. Because the south side faced the open space of St. Paul’s Cathedral, the architect carried elements from the front façade to side elevation. Today this is a great location for the summer patio.

Clicks Bar & Grill

Continuing with my Tavern Tour Series: Clicks Bar and Grill, located at 337 Richmond Street in the basement boasts the cheapest beer in the city. The pub is not very interesting but the building  (Waterloo Building) has a long, interesting history.  Proximity to the railroad tracks back in the 1880’s attracted the wholesale houses. These buildings were well designed, well built and still remain today. The Waterloo Building was constructed in 1881, on the site of a famous hotel owned by a veteran of the Battle of Waterloo. The Waterloo Building had 2 long term tenants:  Hobbs Hardware (339 and 341) and Robinson Little Dry Goods (343 and 345).

Medium: Ink and Watercolour
Image Size: 3.5" x 4.5"

TT19 Clicks Bar And Grill

Golfing and Sketching

The Victoria Day Long Weekend produced some wonderful weather for three days! Golfed: 9 holes Friday night, 18 holes Saturday afternoon and 18 holes again on Monday... and still had time to do allot of other work. What a great weekend!

On holiday Monday, Troy and I played Heron Point, near Ancaster, ON. "In the roster of great courses designed by Canadian architect Thomas McBroom, Heron Point Golf Links, although one of his earliest, still ranks among his best." as described on Clublink website.

Golfing and sketching challenges me to sketch very quickly and remember details. The initial sketch is just a few lines, by then every one has hit their drive and we move on.  The inking and shading can happen a hole or 2 later, depending on the pace of play that day. This is first of the four sketches I did while golfing on Monday at Heron Point.

From Sketch Book

A Village Tail

"The Art of Old South" from November 26 - December 24, 2013 will feature the art of Susan Garrington, Len Hughes, Amelia Husnik and myself at The Art Exchange in Wortley Village. The nasty weather of this past Sunday -- there was rain, snow, sleet and sunshine. The "snow" on May 13th me post this small painting of A Village Tail at 160 Wortley Rd in Old South.

Medium: Ink Watercolour and gouache
Image Size: 3.5" x 4"



A Village Tail, Winter

Call the Office

Located at York Street and Clarence Street is Call the Office, a bar with decades of history. I had previously drawn this building in black and white, this time a colour version. This painting along with other black and white streetscapes of downtown London are available at Market Crafts, their new location at 121 Dundas Street.

(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.”

Ink & Watercolour, Image Size: 3" x 4"
Framed Size: 8" x 10"
Available at Market Crafts, on Dundas Street, London

SS57 Call the Office

Figurative Art

 

Untitled Female No. 13

This is one of the four matted (all figurative) pieces, I am putting in the Lambeth Art Association Annual Show and Sale. The Spring Sale is Thursday April 25 to Saturday April 27 at the Lambeth United Church.

India Ink, applied with a brush, on tan stonehenge paper, from figure drawing session at The ARTS Project

Lambeth Show and Sale

The Ceeps

Continuing with my Tavern Tour Series: The Ceeps. This is one of London’s oldest and most popular night spots. It was built and opened in 1890. An iconic place, super popular with the students of Western University. Over the last 120 years, many of the students have made and will continue to make this tavern their second home. Over the years, the Ceeps has tried to maintain a consistent atmosphere. This includes the huge round wooden tables that have been all carved up.

Ink & Watercolour, Image Size: 3" x 4.5"
Matted Size: 8" x 10"
Available at Gift of Art, on Richmond Street London



TT17 The Ceeps

Prince Albert's Diner

Prince Albert's Diner is located at the corner of Richmond and Albert Street, in the heart of the London. This 50's style diner, is one of the cities 'original' greasy spoons. Visiting at different times of day gives one a completely different experience.  A favourite to many patrons is the Wallyburger, a burger with peanut butter and bacon.

Ink & Watercolour, Image Size: 3" x 4"
Matted Size: 8" x 10"
Available at Gift of Art, on Richmond Street London

SS55 Prince Albert's Diner

Punta Cana Golf

We just spent a week in the Dominican Republic playing golfing. We played three times at Cap Cana (Punta Espada), a Jack Nicklaus signature design. One round at La Cana, designed by P.B. Dye and one round at Corales, designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 2010. All beautiful courses, with my favourite being Cap Cana, the most beautiful course I have ever played.



Hole No2, par 5

Hole No17, par 4

From the Punta Espada Golf Course website: "Punta Espada is listed among the worlds finest, with the renowned GolfWeek ranking it as the best golf course in the Caribbean and Mexico. Eight holes play along and over the sea. From all points of Punta Espada, golfers are blessed with extraordinary views of the Caribbean, where the sea contrasts against the emerald fairways and the perfect greens."

 

The villa we stayed at overlooked the 17 hole of the course and the ocean. The water was a crystal clear turquoise colour. There was always a breeze, so never felt too hot. The constant sound of the ocean waves was gentle yet you could feel how powerful the water was.

 

Great week with great people. Food was excellent. Golf was amazing. A couple of my scores were not so good, but the scenery certainly makes up for that.

 

Couple of quick sketches from the week...

Beach bed overlooking the golf course and ocean

Cap Cana Hole No4, Par 3

View from Villa of 17th tee box

Perfect Ski Conditions

 

I usually spend a good part of Saturdays drawing and doing some bookkeeping. Because the conditions were absolutely perfect ... with lots of fresh snow, sunny, -5°C, I had to take advantage of it... cross country skiing at Circle R Ranch. Mondays weather forcast is +3 and rain. So glad I took enjoyed the snow yesterday, tomorrow it will all be gone.



Circle R Ranch Groomed Ski Trials

Gift of Art

Dropped of 5 of my original drawings today, (including this one - TT14 Honest Lawyer) at a Gift of Art located at 575 Richmond Street in London.

 

228 Dundas street is current home to The Honest Lawyer. I stopped in for a beverage on a Wednesday evening, a couple weeks ago. Some history…  In 1909, Moore Henry and Munroe designed this four story building for the Ontario Furniture Company. Unique features include dentils atop the three stories of large bow windows, brackets supporting a protruding shallow roof. For decades it was the Duthler Textiles, I remember that store very well. Metal cladding hid the original beauty for years. Today it looks this.

 

TT14 Honest Lawyer (size 4" x 3")

Sketches of People

For the past couple of years, the majority of my drawings/paintings have been of architecture and streetscapes and of course a few golf courses mixed in there. A new project that I plan to start in couple of months will involve people ⁄ portraits ⁄ characters. I am currently filling up my sketch book with quick line sketches with splashes of colour, capturing the personality and mood of people.

From Sketchbook, Jan 24

Black Shire Pub

The Black Shire takes its name from the Black Shire breed of horses of England, which are known for their strength and nobility. For the past century, Shire horses have delivered beer daily in the city streets of London, England, and are the breed that carried knights into battle in the armies of King Henry II. Visited the “The Black Shire Pub” at 511 Talbot Street with friends Jordana and Sharon and enjoyed a Denison's Dunkel.  

 

Formerly: The Last Drop, which got its namesake from a pub in Edinburgh where prisoners actually had their last meal and drinks before being publicly hanged.

 

TT07 The Black Shire Pub

Portrait: Heidi

Heidi

With this portrait of HEIDI, I have focused on the face and eyes and faded out the body.  I have added a graphic element of quotes, with my favourite being “Again, I must remind you, that a dog's a dog-- a cat's a cat. T. S. Eliot.