Southbank Brisbane Qld Australia

I took the girls to Southbank on the 20th.  What better what to spend my birthday! :-)  They swam and I sketched.

Southbank was built on the old Expo 88 site.  It is a wonderful place for tourists and locals alike.  The biggest attraction is Streets Beach.

Urban Sketching. Matisse Drawing Life Exhibition. (Brisbane Australia)

My Granddaughter and I went to The Gallery of Modern Art today, to see the Matisse Exhibit.  We were delighted to find, they had set up a "Drawing Room"  We sat awhile and sketched.  I sketched Auguste Rodin's Bust "Torse de Jeune Femme", and a sketch of my granddaughter drawing..

Urban Sketching. Qld Art Gallery

I went to the Qld Art Gallery today and did a sketch of part of my favourite painting at the gallery. It is called Monday Morning.

A sketch from the dentist window Woolloongabba

This is the Former Taylor-Heaslop Building, erected in 1889-90, is important as surviving evidence of the Woolloongabba Fiveways, one of Brisbane's principal shopping centres in the latter part of the 19th century, and for demonstrating the impact of the economic boom of the 1880's in metropolitan Brisbane.

Urban Sketching Cannon Hill Shopping Centre

Mango Micks fruit stand

Mother and daughters.  The daughters had just come over to tell me I was a good drawer :D and to say that their father is an artist, and their uncle in South Africa is a famous artist!

This guy kept bobbing up and down so I gave up  :-)

Red Rooster from the service station across the intersection.  There is nowhere to park and I was too sore to stand and sketch today.

Watermelon stand at Mango Micks.

Bulimba Ferry Terminal Brisbane

The Bulimba ferry terminal was built in 1922 for the Balmoral Shire Council, then responsible for the efficient servicing of several ferry routes across the Brisbane River. Since the days of the convict settlement at Moreton Bay when a punt was poled between the main settlement and the south bank of the river, ferries have been a vital transport facility for Brisbane. The river twists and loops through the city and cross-river access is important in linking city and suburbs and greatly reducing travel time between them. Although the first bridge linked the city and South Brisbane in 1862, no other bridges were built for many years, public transport was limited and few people had private transport until after World War Two. People who needed to commute to work and to access shopping and entertainment facilities used cross-river ferries on a daily basis. Ferries were the only major transport service provided by metropolitan local authorities as responsibility for care and management had been placed in their hands by an 1858 Act.

Toronto Islands - Toronto - Canada

I went to Toronto Islands with my friends.  I found this amazing 200 year old lighthouse to sketch..  Gibraltar Point Lighthouse.

This is the oldest landmark in Toronto. From its site on Gibraltar Point, it has watched most of Toronto's history unfold; its light beam has, for more than 150 years, been a welcome guide for the mariner into the Harbour of Toronto.

The mystery of Gibraltar Point Lighthouse
Like most other historical buildings, the lighthouse has had its days of tragedy giving rise to tales of the macabre. Such a day was January 2nd, 1815. On this day, the lighthouse keeper, Radan Muller, died in circumstances which have left forever two unanswered questions: How did he die? and by whose hands?

York Soaring Gliding Club - Wellington County - Ontario Canada

I spent the day at the gliding club with my friends.  I managed to sketch a little, and I also went for an amazing flight with the man who brought Freedom Wings into Canada. Charles Peterson.  What an amazing man, he is a qualified gliding instructor many items over, an aerobatic instructor, a qualified sailor, and lord knows what else.  I spent the most delightful hour with him up in the clouds.  He even did "wing overs" for me.  What a hoot.  If I ever get to go flying with him again, I am going to tell him he need not worry about doing mild acrobatics, I am all in!!!!!

York Soaring Gliding Club

ASK21 Glider 

GILLIES LAKE. Northern Ontario - CANADA

Is a 20-hectare lake in the heart of the City of Timmins. It is a five minute walk from my friends house, so we can go for a walk at will.  I have been around twice now, the first time with my camera, this time with my sketch book.
 Gillies Lake Promenade was developed by the Conservation Authority as part of its lake rejuvenation project in 1986.  Since that time, the 2.5 km trail has become the focus for the entire community trail netwrk with direct linkages to the Scout Rock, Golden Springs, and Lion's Walk Trails. Future plans call for connections through the downtown to the Waterfront Trail.

I am going to check out Scout Rock next time...

Westfield Heritage Village - Rockton - Ontario Canada

D. Glenn Kilmer and Golden (Goldie) L. MacDonell, two Brantford high school teachers, purchased 30 acres in October, 1960 at the site which later became Westfield Heritage Village. They envisioned a unique project which would develop a pioneer village as a non-profit educational institution to preserve and present the 19th century rural life in Upper Canada. Their vision became a reality when Westfield was officially opened to the public on June 15, 1964.


I have been there with my Friend Lynn several times.  Lyn is one of the volunteers there.  Without the volunteers, Westfield would not survive.  

Blacksmiths cottage

Webster's Falls Dundas Ontario Canada

Webster's Falls is a curtain waterfall 22 metres in height. Located at the Spencer Gorge / Webster's Falls Conservation area in Greensville, its source is Spencer Creek. It is one of two falls within the Spencer Gorge, and with a crest of 24 metres, it is the largest in the region. It is also probably the most popular and widely known fall in Hamilton, and has the biggest park associated with a waterfall. According to Joe Hollick, Webster's Falls has the highest number of vintage postcards bearing its image, suggesting that it was also the most frequently visited waterfall a century ago as well.

Buildings on King Street West - Dundas Hamilton Ontario Canada

Dundas is a very beautiful town It is surrounded by the Niagara Escarpment. The Bruce trail has some great hiking tracks, and the waterfalls in the area are magnificent..  The main street is a joy to walk down, I can't get enough of it!

This used to be the Glen Campbell Dairy. The building is no longer a dairy but the old figure head remains to remind us of a day gone by.  It is a lovely old building..

Winchester Arms Pub.  It is a true British Pub, sporting British fare.  I can't at present find any history about the building..

Following the close of the American Revolution in the late 1700's, Upper Canada became a haven for United Empire Loyalists escaping the United States, many of whom made their way from Niagara to the western end of Lake Ontario where they had been granted land by King George III of England.

Attracted by the potential water power offered by the Spencer Creek, many early settlers came to this area of Flamborough West. James Crooks and Jonathan Morden United Empire Loyalist, built early mills on this section of Upper Spencer Creek above Webster’s Falls. Morden built the first sawmill and ran it as a family business until it was destroyed by fire in 1905.

Soccer at Ancaster High School Ontario Canada June 2011

Ancaster’s history stretches back over 200 years. The town was given its name in 1793 by Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe after it had been surveyed as part of a plan to create roads for military reasons. By 1823, due in large part to its easily accessible water power located nearby already existing historical trading routes, Ancaster had become Upper Canada's largest industrial and commercial center. At that time it also had the largest population in Upper Canada with 1,681 townspeople surpassing both Toronto's 1,376 and Hamilton's 1,000 residents.

The soccer game is part of the Heritage Days Celebrations..  My friends grandson was playing in the over 15's, so we went along to watch and support him.

Mt Nemo conservation area, Halton; Ontario CANADA

Today, I had the pleasure of hiking up to Brock Harris Lookout.  I continued on through the North Loop,  missed a turn, and ended up hiking up on the Bruce Trail.  I made my way back, following the sounds of the traffic, and came out a 20 minute walk from the Park entrance, in an elderly mans back yard. I asked him which way was out, and he said down the drive to the Guelph Line.  Good adventure..


Mt Nemo conservation area has one of the best cliff ecosystems on Ontario’s Niagara Escarpment. Rich green ferns blanket limestone boulders scattered among old growth forests that are alive with jewel like birds. Crevice caves and ancient cedars, a thousand years old, can be seen all along the meandering cliff edge trail. An interpretive lookout with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside lets visitors know why this natural environment park is worth protecting.

While I was sitting here sketching, and listening to the sounds of the forest, a turkey vulture landed on the rock I was sketching.  He sat there for a good 2 minutes watching me.  I was leaning down to pick up my camera, slowly, when his mate came along, fluttered her wings and they both flew away.

What a wonderful day I had..!

Sears Hair studio at Limeridge Mall Hamilton Ontario Canada

I went to get my hair done today, and sat watching fascinated as a sweet old man had his hair permed.  really tight perm too.  His wife was waiting patiently for her turn as well..

Sketching at "The Royal City Bowmen" Guelph, Ontario, CANADA

"The Royal City Bowmen" archery club is located near Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It is a 44-acre forest which is rented from the Grand River Conservation Authority and is on the east side of Guelph Lake, located just northeast of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.  My friend Lynn, took me with her, to her plein aire painting class.  It was a fantastic afternoon, and I did this sketch.

Westfiled Historical Village

In 1960 two Brantford high school teachers purchased 30 acres of land in the Hamilton region to store a THB (Toronto, Hamilton, Buffalo Railway) Class "G" Consolidated locomotive.

This was the birth of the Westfiled Historical Village. There are now 35 period buildings on the site, ranging from the 1700's and 1800's, and it is open to the public Sundays and holidays. It really is worth the visit. The Historic interpretors wear historical costume. There are also first person interpretors who speak in period language. It adds authenticity to the village.

While I was there last Monday 23rd May, I had the pleasure of listening to the  "Mercoledi Strings" Orchestra.  It was an hour well spent, the music was heavenly, and I managed to draw this quick sketch.

Montebello Park St Catharines Ont. Canada Saturday 21st May

Montebello Park is the main recreational park for Downtown St Catharines.  It was designed in 1887, by Frederick Law Olmstead, the founding father of landscape architecture in the United States, and one of the designers of Central Park in New York City.

This man was busking in front of the Coffee Culture restaurant, on St Pauls street, where I stopped and had my lunch.  He had disappeared straight after I drew him, so I didn't get a chance to give him some money..  Pity.

St Catharines Ontario Canada 19th May 2011

St Catharines Town Hall and Market House was built in 1848-49. The builder was William Barren and the architect was Kivas Tully. It is made of Thorold stone.

It is a magnificent building with Roman Arch windows, heavily molded eaves, and gorgeous corbels.

It was originally used by the Board of Police and Town Hall, and Farmers Markets in the east wing. This wing was a later addition, built by Samuel Dolson, in 1863.

The upper floor boasted 22 foot ceilings, and was originally the council chamber and meeting hall.

I did not go inside as court was in session. I would have loved to though. Maybe next time.

The clock tower is a working three faced clock. It has an 8 foot long pendulum, with a 50lb bob. The dome is octagonal.

 

Man eating lunch in Court House gardens          Lisa's Cafe  St Catharines Public Library. 

 I stopped for a wonderful blueberry/cranberry bran muffin and a hot chocolate.

Westminster United Church St Catharines Ontario - Canada

I sketched this church from my friends balcony.  It is not too far away, on Queenston Street.  It is a very beautiful building, but alas, I can find no history about it.

My Trip to Canada May to August 2011

Brisbane Airport.

In flight

Incheon Airport Seoul. A Korean girl in Traditional dress.

SKETCHING at SOUTHBANK Brisbane Australia 16.04.2011

I joined a fellow sketching friend and went to Southbank Brisbane for the 31st SketchCrawl .  I was sponsored, with proceeds going to Japan aid.  Southbank was under water in January, during the Brisbane Floods.  So much of the parklands have been restored in such a short time.  There is still construction going on, but the famous  Streets Beach will be opened again sometime next week.

South Bank 3 terminal

Maritime Museum Lighthouse

Nepalese Pagoda

Brisbane Outrigger Canoe
Club spectator tent

Brisbane Wheel