A recent article by Bryan Bicknell, CTV News London called "Buildings on the Brink" prompted me to revisit my "Save Me Series" from 2017. This illustration is based on my belief that old building have a soul. I combined my figure drawing, my love of architecture, my photo and an old photo I found on Toronto Public Library Archive site. If you look closely in the windows you will see "Save Me". I truly hope this building is repurposed and saved somehow. See more illustrations from the Save me Series.
​Couple of process images

1. India ink drawing of figure
2. Micron ink drawing of building
3. Watercolour painting and washes
4. Matting and framing ... and the finished piece is ready to be delivered.

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.

I am excited and honoured to have my Dundas Streetscape (Clarence to Wellington) officially hanging at the new location of the London Arts Council. They just moved to their new office at 267 Dundas Street, London, ON, corner of Dundas and Wellington. This organization truly enhances the quality of life and creative vitality in London, through their various programs, services and incredible staff members. I appreciate their support over the years.
This illustration was started in 2012, when I took the photo reference. I put all the images together in Photoshop, to figure out how big to draw each buildings, in order to have the streetscape fit on a sheet of watercolour paper. I completed the ink drawing in 2012, but then got busy doing two books: Barhopping into History, London Ontario (2013) and Hopping into History, London's Old East Village (2015). Both of these books were supported by the London Arts Council. Finally in 2018, I got back to the illustrations and completed them. My original plan was to draw every building from Museum London (I worked at the Art Rental shop) to the London Clay Art Centre (I still work here). To date, I have only finished 3 blocks. Maybe its time to continue with this series...