I was honoured to be the recipient of a Local History Award last Wednesday, April 9th, at Museum London.  "This award is to acknowledge the significant contribution you have made to the awareness of local heritage architecture by means of your drawings, paintings and your publications."

The London Heritage Awards are presented annually by the Architectural Conservancy Ontario – London Region and Heritage London Foundation. This was the 18th annual. It was a great evening at Museum London! Thank you to the awards committee, volunteers, event sponsors, and all those who made the awards ceremony possible.

The London Free Press has highlighted some of the award winners here:
​ https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/18th-annual-london-heritage-awards-winners-unveiled. 

Historic London architecture - WHY, you ask? I moved to London in the 1980s. I have lived, worked, and walked in downtown London ever since. Walking is the best way to observe your surroundings. That's where my inspiration comes from. Simply, I like what I see, and I feel the need to capture it. I currently call Blackfriars/Petersville Heritage Conservation District home. I still walk every day and get inspired every day.

You can find some of my London-based artworks and art cards at the at SHOP Museum London. You can also find many of my art cards at Magpie's Collected Creations - Covent Garden Market.

This morning was another Urban Sketchers London ON meetup. The rain and wet weather forced us inside, but we could still see Dundas Street from the front windows in the library. After I added colour, I wished I had left it as black and white.

The finishing touches are complete on the beautiful and historic Brescia University College, which was founded in 1919 by the Ursuline Sisters. Canada’s last all-women’s university was fully integrated into Western University in May 2023.

​Sometimes things just take time… a lot of time! Started January of 2020. Ended Summer of 2024. Four and a half years ago, I responded to a call to artist from LAC about a designing a medal for the Ontario Summer Games to be held in London ON.  I had never designed a medal before. I started with taking a walk by the river for some contemplation. 
Next up, was some research on medal designs through out the years. What did we do before the internet? The reading and observing other designs gives a bit of context and more confidence in what I think I can do and what I want to do.
Next up, sketch out some designs in my sketchbook.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/meet-the-londoners-behind-the-2024-ontario-summer-games-medal-design-1.7253629 ​

This juried exhibition showcases original two-dimensional works of art that celebrate the artist behind the work, what the artist saw and created, "in their view", real or imagined. This means anything goes.  

So pleased that these two artworks were juried into to show:
"Looking at the Four Story Walkup" (ink, WC, cotton thread) 9 1/4" x 9" c2024
and
​"The Upper Two Floors" (ink, WC, cotton thread) 13 1/2" x 8 3/4" c2024

On  February 17, 2024, Urban Sketchers London met at The Market at Western Fair District for the 2nd sketch outing of 2024. Not only was this a great place to sketch, but host Jane Roy from "The Paint Box"  (which puts a spotlight on various aspects of the vibrant visual art community in the City of London)  joined us to film and interview the sketchers.

Here is the link to view the show:   The Paint Box - London (rogerstv.com)

The beauty of traditional pen and ink is in the power of simple lines. It's a simple process, using simple tools on a piece of paper. 
The downside... permanent ink is well, permanent. Sometimes you can correct a mistake, but sometimes it's impossible to correct it!
These sketches are drawn from photos, the reasons being:

1. These buildings are gone - some burned down, some torn down (in the name of progress), some demolished (demolition by neglect). But they are not forgotten. So many memories for so many people in these buildings.
2. It's cold in Ontario, Canada in January and I was working on these on a couple of cold days, with daytime temperatures  -12°C and feels like -20°C (translates to 10.4°F and feels like -4°F)

Micron 03 and 01 pens, white and black charcoal pencils, on grey 5 x 7 inch Stonehenge paper. I like the edges of the paper, so I plan to float mount these pieces. they will be for the "Within Walking Distance" show, with more details to come...

​The 11th annual Square Foot Show At Westland Gallery in London.
Grand Opening Reception: Wednesday, December 6th, 3 – 9 pm.
Show runs: December 6, 2023 - December 30, 2023.
LONDON FREE PRESS | WESTLAND GALLERY
470 works of original works of art by 250 local artists hang in a beautiful mosaic from floor to ceiling.
This exhibition is a must-see for new and experienced collectors, artists, and art enthusiasts.
My entries: 
"Dundas Streetscape with Figure" (India ink & watercolour & Gouache, mounted on birch panel) 12” x 12”
" Figure and Ferns" (India ink & watercolour, mounted on birch panel) 12” x 12”