Artist Blog of Cheryl Radford

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Mini HOme Portraits

1/17/2021

My normal size home portrait is approximately 4 x 6 inches, matted to 8 x 10 inches, which is small. But these are even smaller and I am calling them my "mini" home portraits. They are approximately 2 x 4 inches, matted to 5 x 7 inches. Based on the size they are much more simplified than a regular home portrait.
The Ontario COVID-19 "stay at home" order, which started January 14, 2021 is giving me more time to try new things. I am still going to work but evenings and weekends I am doing more artwork and enjoying this time very much! At home by myself in the studio, the joy of being an introvert.
Another benefit: using up small pieces of paper and matt board.

Another F#@king Pillow

12/28/2020

It does not match the couch, but it makes a statement.
Same as first one... a little feminine Victoria era craft with masculine fabric, add a little crazy quilt, to reflect the year we are having. Sometimes that is the only phrase that will get the point across.

Next ...
I still have old denim pieces left, I see another project on the horizon.
Its a great way to reuse and recycle old fabric.

Creative Project #2

12/19/2020

Take a traditional Victorian era, feminine craft like embroidery, and use a masculine working class fabric like denim, and get creative.
A little embroidery, a little recycled fabric and stuffing, a little sewing, and we have a pillow.
This maybe a very offensive word for some people. But I think... sometimes it's the only word that really says what you want to say!
Enjoyed doing this one, so I am working on another one. It does take a long time to do all that embroidery, but its satisfying, mindless evening pass-time, while its dark and cold outside this time of year.
Only downfall, Buddy the golden retriever seems to think its for him and wants to play with it. He has a habit of destroying stuffed things he plays with. Put it where he will not get it!

Other Creative Projects

12/4/2020

Recently read Let the Elephants Run by David Usher. Its about "reigniting and nurturing creativity in accessible and productive ways". These ideas and concepts are not new to me, but the book was a good reminder, to change it up and do different creative projects.
So, my first project was seasonal patio pots. One for the front door and one for the back door. Birch sticks from a friend, greenery from the garden and a little snow. Total cost was $0, and it really did not take very long to put together. And it was fun to do!
Next project ...

Camden Terrace

11/1/2020

Sometimes an illustration gets in a pile of artwork and gets overlooked for awhile. This one "Camden Terrace (Front Elevation) was overlooked for a few years! Cleaning up studio and came across it this weekend. Illustration is from 2016 and in November of that year, the building was demolished. The building was located at 479-489 Talbot Street, and was built 1876-77.Second image is based on the architecture of Camden Terrace, in the window, it says "save me - you did not". The history of the architecture and the city is worth saving. Once it is gone, its gone forever.

This is (was) an example of "Terrace Housing". A 19th-century term for row housing, terrace housing refers to identical or mirror-image houses sharing side walls. Such terraces were a traditional British form of domestic architecture generally only found in the larger urban areas of Ontario. London has several examples. (Source: Jennifer grainger.blogspot.com)

Some notes from Architectural Conservancy Ontario, London Branch about its unique design:

The windows on Camden Terrace are unique because the headers at the top of the windows curve, then level off at the corners. Over the bay windows, they all connect.
The buildings of Camden Terrace are in the Classical tradition, with some Italianate touches such as the substantial brackets at the ends of each double unit.
Notice the intricate brick detailing under the edge of the roof, featuring a rare “brick drop” design.
The terrace is divided into groups of two, each of which has good Classical proportions.
The whole is well-balanced, forming a harmonious design.

Camden Terrace (Front Elevation), Ink and watercolour, 4" x 7" ©2016

Camden Terrace, India Ink and watercolour, 6" x 6" ©2017 (SOLD)

Museum London

10/17/2020

Walking to and from work, I admire and get inspired by the downtown architecture. This one was more of a challenge, it took me a 3 illustrations to get the one I really liked. This view with the overhead trees and the flower bed (with this large leafed plant...not sure what it is) framed the building so nicely.
"Museum London was established in 1940 and operated from the London Public Library until 1980 when the renowned Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama was commissioned to design its current home at the forks of the Thames River in downtown London, Ontario."
Just delivered the framed art to the SHOP at Museum London today. Working on the artwork for the greeting cards and post cards, to be printed in the next couple of weeks.
See More Architecture

What are the Odds?

10/10/2020

What are the odds of getting a hole-in-one or ace? According to the National Hole-in-One Registry, the odds of the average golfer making a hole-in-one are 12,000 to 1.
Some other interesting facts about hole in ones ...

Tour player making an ace: 3,000 to 1
Low-handicapper making an ace: 5,000 to 1
Average player making an ace: 12,000 to 1
Two players from the same foursome acing the same hole: 17 million to 1

Each course reports 10-15 hole in ones each year
A hole in one is scored once every 3,500 golf rounds
Only 1-2% of golfers score a hole in one during the year
Average years of playing is 24
Average handicap of golfers making hole in one is 14
Age group that makes the most holes in one is 50-59 (25%) and the next highest is 40-49 (24%)

Aces are rare, but the same golfer getting aces three years in a row, what are the chances? 2018 and 2019 aces were at Greenhills Golf Club in Lambeth, and most recent 2020, at Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club near Barrie. One golfer. Three aces. Three years. Congratulations to him!

Town Hall

9/23/2020

This prominent building in the downtown of St. Marys (175 Queen Street East), was constructed in 1891 of local limestone with dichromatic red sandstone accents. Its close proximity to the St. Marys Public Library, another heritage building constructed with similar materials, contribute to the strong heritage identity of the downtown area.

St Marys Town Hall, Ink and watercolour, 6" x 6" ©2020

Little Book of Experiments

8/29/2020

Recently purchased this new Stillman & Birn, Zeta Series (5.5" x 3.5") Soft Cover Sketchbook. "The paper in the Zeta Series is hearty, smooth, and perfect for rich watercolors, vibrant markers, unique fountain pens, and more!"
I am going to look at this as "little book of experiments". Try something new... maybe its style, maybe it use of colour or limited use of colour, maybe its abstract, maybe it an different subject matter, happen to see an artist style that I admire, give it a try.

Page 1 - A sketch that is extra loose and use limited colours. The subject, flowers from the garden, something I normally do not do. Here we have the morning glories that climb on the fence by the garage. The sketch done very quickly, only a few minutes.

BlackHorse Golf

8/23/2020

BlackHorse Golf & County Resort
Played this golf course on Friday, August 21, a sunny, hot day, perfect for golf. The number breakdown looks like this...
18 holes - 16 sketches - 2 tall boys - 4 hours, 5 minutes - 89 total
Riding in a cart while golfing, always gives more time for sketching. The "on course" sketches are very quick... I never want to be "that" golfer who holds other golfers up! So, I have learned to sketch very quickly, especially on the golf course. Sometimes, I start with some pencil lines (I was using a mechanical pencil, which I have had since college), but sometimes I go right to permanent black ink. All of these sketches were done on the course and the colour was added later.