Artist Blog of Cheryl Radford

November Events...

11/18/2022

Excited to be part of the "Meet the Artist" Series at the London Public Library. Kym Wolfe and I will be discussing the history and architecture of significant London buildings.
Location: London Public Library
Branch: Central Location
Date: Saturday, November 19
Time: 2:30 to 3:30 pm
No registration required, 2 hours free parking at Citi Plaza, cost: Free

Holiday Market at London Brewing Coop - I'm a Vendor!
Location: London Brewing Coop
Address: 521 Burbrook Pl, London
Date: Saturday, November 26
Time: Noon to 7pm
Stop by, check out the holiday market, and enjoy a truly local beer! It’s not just great-tasting beer and it’s not just brewed there. Their beer is as local and as organic as possible.

WAG Gift Shop

8/29/2022

I am pleased to say that the Woodstock Art Gallery Gift Shop, now carries my artwork and art cards. Last Friday, I delivered nine pieces of artwork, some framed, some matted plus 8 of my greeting cards. Framed pieces include the architectural illustrations: Woodstock Streetscape with Capitol Theatre, Theatre Woodstock, and Woodstock Market. All these pieces of art were completed in 2022. And working on some more. And Woodstock architectural greeting cards to come.

The Woodstock Art Gallery Gift Shop features unique items crafted by local artists (and your purchase supports both artists and programming at the Gallery), including pottery, glass, jewellery, fabric arts, paintings, prints, art cards and more. If you become a member of the Woodstock Art Gallery you receive a 10% discount.

Woodstock Streetscape with Capitol theatre

4/19/2022

A video of the creation of a "Woodstock Streetscape with Capitol Theatre" a section of Dundas Street in the City of Woodstock. (Note to Self: My video creation and editing skills could use some improvement!)

The love and appreciation of built history started after a trip to France in 2007. As an avid walker, living in the Blackfriars Heritage District in downtown London, I started to take notice of the visually-interesting buildings right here at home. I have been documenting the rich tapestry of buildings in Southwestern Ontario ever since.

This first drawing was completed in 2012 and shows the gaping hole where a building used to sit. Today, 10 years later, it's still a gaping hole.
A little research shows that 391 to 395 Dundas Street in Woodstock was home to Woodstock Opera House built in 1893. In 1908, it became part of the Griffin Amusement Company of Toronto. The Famous Players chain took over in 1927, renamed it the Capitol Theatre. It closed in 1999 due to the new Gallery Cinemas opening. The structure was demolished in 2010.

India ink and ink illustration of Woodstock streetscape completed in 2012.

After a little more research and I found some images of the Capitol Theatre, before it met the wrecking ball. I think this was the most beautiful building on this block. My final illustration captures todays streetscape with a black and white drawing of the demolished building, using a little imagination and guess work to complete the image. You will notice some history on the marque and you will also find "YOU DID NOT SAVE ME" strategically placed on the façade.

Woodstock Streetscape wtih Capitol Theate

Modern living room with streetscape on the wall.

A modern living room with framed "Woodstock Streetscape with Capitol Theatre" on the wall.

Sketch Arva

10/16/2021

Its October, so it's fitting to go sketching at a cemetery. Urban Sketchers at St. John's Anglican Church in Arva. This cute little yellow brick church was built in 1875. The first sketch was of the cemetery at the back of the property, a unique heart shaped head stone caught my attention. It was a little windy and cool back there, so moved to the front of the church. Went across the street to sketch an elevation view of the church, warmer with no wind. Micron Pen and water brush filled with india ink/distilled water mixture for gray tones... I spent about 45 minutes on each sketch.

Urban Sketchers - now an official chapter

8/14/2021

This AM the Urban Sketchers London had it's first event as an official chapter of Urban Sketchers International. Met downtown, the artists went where they wanted to and them met up at a coffee shop for the throw down. Some sketchers from Waterloo Region US made the trip. Probably our largest gathering of sketchers to date.
I have drawn/illustrated the (former) Kingsmill's Department Store building a couple of times before, but always from photographs. Now it's home to Fanshawe College: School of Tourism, Hospitality and Culinary Arts. And this time it's a sketch completed on location. I would not say the building was "saved", but at least we still have the original facade for the Dundas streetscape. I think, when you only keep the front wall, and completely rebuild the rest, you loose spirit of the building and have not really saved it. But this is better than loosing it completely!
New sketchbook started August 1 and this time a little bigger. First 2 were 6 x 6 inches, this one is 10 x 8 inches. Still working on sketching everyday.... still only missed one day since April 8.

Urban Sketchers London - Dundas Street (micron pen, waterbrush with india ink in 10 x 8 inch sketchbook)

Western University - McIntosh Gallery

4/6/2021

Gothic limestone architecture, ivy-covered walls, lots of green space, and nestled beside the Thames River is Western University. Founded in 1878, the campus is one of the most picturesque in North America. Hard to believe I have lived in London for so long and never drawn or sketched any of the magnificent buildings on this campus.
McIntosh Gallery was established in 1942, and is the oldest university art gallery in Ontario.
As it turns out... this was the location of the last art opening I went to before the COVID-19 lock down of 2020 and was the location of the first art exhibition I went to view in March of 2021.