Illustrated Vancouver

As a followup to last week’s Hotel Vancouver #2 mural,...

Sun, 19 May 2013 11:00:33 -0700

As a followup to last week’s Hotel Vancouver #2 mural, here’s another long lost mural from the Hotel Vancouver #3.

In 1939 Charles Comfort depicted Captain Vancouver as the guest of honour at a Northwest Coast Native potlatch ceremony for the foyer of the newly constructed Hotel Vancouver.

In the previous mural, a group of completely out of place Plains Indians appear far off in the background on the right hand side. At least here, the Northwest Coast Natives are depicted with greater accuracy, prominently placed in the foreground with artistry.

But it’s hard not to view the depiction of the First Nations in a subservient manner. The three white men stand on podiums like track and field winners, looking rather pompous with their ship’s oar, navigational aids, and British flag. A massive totem pole looms in the background while birds fly idyllically overhead. With a target audience of visiting tourists, the intent of the mural was clearly to welcome and inspire the guests. There is no foreshadowing of the potlatch ban that would come years later.

This image is seen on the cover of the book National Soul: Canadian Mural Painting, 1860s - 1930s by Marylin J. McKay. Ironically, the painting itself is on the other side of the country in the Confederation Centre Art Gallery in Charlottetown, PEI.

HMS Discovery & Chatham Becalmed June 9, 1792, depicted here...

Sat, 18 May 2013 11:00:26 -0700

HMS Discovery & Chatham Becalmed June 9, 1792, depicted here in Puget Sound in watercolour by Captain Steve Mayo in 2012. This is a little out of our jurisdiction, but we could just as well imagine these ships making their way into Burrard Inlet. He blogs about the painting here:

My painting shows the two vessels around 3:00 as the wind died off in the middle of Rosario Strait with Mt. Baker in the background. The south part of Cypress Island is prominent behind the Discovery. Strawberry Bay, their destination, is just beyond the scene to the left. The Chatham has drifted a little further east and has lost steerageway. Vancouver has hoisted the signal to start towing; the Chatham has already manned her launch and is rigging a towline…

A detail of significance in my painting is the portrayal of the stern decorations on the Discovery. I have followed, as closely as possible, a photograph of a wash painting of HMS Discovery done in 1790-91. The original was painted from life by a professional maritime artist, (possibly) Robert Cleveley, while the ship was moored in the Thames River just prior to her epic voyage.

The contemporary artist, Mark Myers, alerted me to the existence of this photocopy and where it resides in Whitby, England. The wash painting is very accurate so the hull and rigging details match precisely the actual Admiralty plans of

Discovery in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Unfortunately, the Admiralty plans do not show any details of the ship’s stern decorations so that wash painting is very revealing. It also bears out the unusual detail from her body plan that we have known for years: the Discovery was built with no tumble-home to the sides of her hull.

colinupton: Self-Indulgent Comics #42 Another new mini-comic...

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:00:25 -0700

colinupton:

Self-Indulgent Comics #42

Another new mini-comic for the upcoming (May 25th/26th) 2nd annual Vancaf Small Press Convention coming up at the Roundhouse (it’s also free to attend). In this issue I enter the hallowed halls of ART! This one was painted in black, white and grey gouache, a nice flat medium but difficult in that it drys a different tone than when applied wet.

Please note that this mini-comic and many others are available from Colin Upton Comics - colinupton@telus.net - both individually and in sets at reasonable prices.

Via Allan Peters blog, the Target advertising reveal for...

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:17 -0700

Via Allan Peters blog, the Target advertising reveal for Vancouver. Credits from the blog: Sr CD: Ruth Balbach; CD: Steve Chirhart; Sr. AD: Allan Peters; Sr. CW: Sage Rider; Illustrator: Lab Partners.

When Target launched it’s first 200 stores in Canada, the brand needed to make a few friends. As the lead Art Director on the Canada social team, I came up with the idea to create vintage travel poster inspired artwork showing bullseye the dog traveling across the country. The posts were strategically leaked throughout the day starting with a tight crop and the post “Hi Neighbor! Bullseye is out on the open road helping celebrate our Canadian store openings. Keep checking in and see if you can spot where he is next”. This invited the audience to participate in a guessing game based on the landmarks revealed in the illustrations. At the end of the day the location was revealed with a message stating how excited Target was to be their new neighbor.

Has anyone photographed the Target - Skytrain wrap? Let me know if you spot it in person or via Twitter, Flickr, or Instagram.

The Spiro Tower, seen above in a period flyer via Emporis.com. I...

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:00:29 -0700

The Spiro Tower, a period brochure seen via Emporis.com

PNE Annual Report, 1968, via the PNE.

Page 165 of "100 Years of Fun" the retrospective book on the PNE.

Amateur photo of the Spiro Tower, photographer unknown, via the PNE.

Night photo of the Spiro Tower, photographer unknown, via the PNE.

Photo of the Spiro Tower, photographer unknown, via the PNE.

The Spiro Tower, seen above in a period flyer via Emporis.com. I don’t normally feature photographs, but in this case, given the relative obscurity of this item, I’m including anything I can gather! Facts about the tower, built 1968, demolished 1979, from Emporis:

Diameter of tower: 8 feet 2 inches.

Capacity of gondola: 60 persons.

Traveling speed: 295 feet per minute.

Rotations of gondola per trip: 3.

The tower was Swiss design and manufactured and imported from West Germany.

Built by Mercedes-Benz who placed their logo on the top at installation (removed later for advertising space).

Tower was located just inside the main Playland entrance gate on Hastings Street.

The structure’s purpose during its 11 year existence was as an observation tower/amusement ride.

Traveling height of the 2-level cabin: 216 feet.

Tower was opened the same year Spiro Agnew was elected US Vice President (Richard Nixon’s running mate), so many people mispronounced its name as SPEAR-RO Tower instead of SPY-RO.

Also seen above is page 165 of 100 Years of Fun, the retrospective book on the PNE. The PNE sent me some additional images, including their 1968 Annual Report which featured the tower on the front cover. From this annual report, the footnote text on the back cover stated:

A spectacular 300-foot high elevator ride into space was the exciting high point for visitors to Playland during the 1968 Pacific National Exhibition. Gently rotating three times on the way up and down, the picture windows allowed each passenger an uninterrupted panoramic view of not only the 184 “Acres of Fun”, but of the most beautiful city in Canada—from atop the new, exciting and unique Spiro-Tower.

There’s got to be more great photos of this tower/from this tower in your parents and grandparents photo albums! Here’s a great panoramic shot from Harold H Johnston for instance. Keep an eye out for them, and post them soon!

This is the last week of the ECUAD Grad Show, so check it out!...

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:00:13 -0700

This is the last week of the ECUAD Grad Show, so check it out! Here’s a detail from a painting by fine arts student Amanda Niekamp, who shows a little bit of west coast Miami in this painting of the Villa Maris, aka the Pink Palace in West Vancouver (Google Maps). She’s also got a fab retro noir poster / painting of the Beacon Theatre you should check out in person! via her blog:

amandaniekamp:

Just a glimpse of what is to come. Putting this aside for a few days. #Miami #westcoast #pink #palace #Vancouver #oil #painting #art #pulp #illustration

I attended the opening of Charles Keillor’s show Lotus...

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:00:00 -0700

I attended the opening of Charles Keillor’s show Lotus Land in Deep Cove on Friday, and I have to add a followup post to implore you - you must go and see this show! The scale, detail, technique, and impact of these drawings all in one show is not to be missed! I wish I could feature the Buntzen Lake Power House drawing here, but it just falls outside the “Illustrated Vancouver” jurisdiction. Perhaps Charles will choose to draw the Dal Grauer substation, or the Electra next? Head to Deep Cove for some kayaking, and then some fine art! The show runs to June 2, 2013.

I’ve posted these photos from 1969 previously, but I think...

Sun, 12 May 2013 11:07:21 -0700

I’ve posted these photos from 1969 previously, but I think it’s worth a repost. On the left, we have the photographs of Nicholas Russell from 1969, showing the demolition of the Lyric Theatre (the former Vancouver Opera House, among other names over the years). The demolition crew creatively used the historic theatre backdrops as demolition curtains, enough to make any heritage advocate cringe! On the right, I’ve photographed the former Sears building, with mesh netting just recently applied, during the demolition of the building’s facade. I missed my chance to shoot right through the building before the netting was installed, but then the idea struck me to feature a little ‘then and now’. It’s also hard to get the precise identical angles as the scale of the buildings are so dramatically different, but I’m happy with the result. I’m also extraordinarily grateful for folks like Nicholas Russell for documenting the evolving landscape of our city when it was still relatively uncommon to do so. The three 1969 photos are courtesy of the Vancouver Archives [one two three]; my photos are on flickr.

There’s still an opportunity for someone to photograph the building from the other side of the block!

In my ongoing exploration of Vancouver’s murals, I present...

Sat, 11 May 2013 11:00:30 -0700

The Landing of Captain Vancouver by American artist Marion Powers Kirkpatrick, seen at the Vancouver Maritime Museum.

The CPR Hotel Vancouver, 1916, with renderings possibly by the architect Francis S. Swales. From the August 1916 edition of the Architect magazine.

At the bar, from the August 1916 edition of the Architect magazine.

Captain Vancouver greets the Spaniards, a detail of The Landing of Captain Vancouver by Marion Powers Kirkpatrick.

Detail of The Landing of Captain Vancouver by Marion Powers Kirkpatrick, from the collection of the Vancouver Maritime Museum.

Detail of the mural in the central lunette over the bar, from the August 1916 edition of the Architect magazine.

The lower floor plan of the Hotel Vancouver #2, from the Architect magazine, August, 1916. You can see the bar running along Granville Street.

Final study for main entrance to CPR Hotel Vancouver by Francis S. Swales, architect.

In my ongoing exploration of Vancouver’s murals, I present to you one rare and extraordinary survivor from one of Vancouver’s greatest hotels. The Landing of Captain Vancouver by American artist Marion Powers Kirkpatrick. This mural measuring 8 x 16 feet once hung in the magnificent CPR Hotel Vancouver #2 of 1916. Paul Sternberg, Sr. writes about the artist in his book “Art by American Women”:

Born in London, England of American parents, Marion Powers excelled in vibrant still lifes that had textile designs in them and large-scale murals. She began art study in London and then in Paris.

She married the English painter, W.A.B. Kirkpatrick [William Arber Brown Kirkpatrick], and in 1906, they settled in Waldeboro, Maine. Prior to living in Waldoboro and Friendship (summer studio) Maine, she and her husband maintained a studio in Boston. She executed a mural at the Canadian Pacific Railway’s Hotel Vancouver in British Columbia and also did still life with randomly displayed objects, painted only for the purpose of showing the objects.

She was an illustrator for “Harper’s” Magazine. She illustrated many magazine covers for Woman’s Home companion, Sunday Magazine various books as well as advertisements for Jello. Many of her still lifes involve food or flower arrangements with very brilliant colors. From 1906 to 1929, she exhibited numerous times at the annual exhibitions of the National and Pennsylvania Academies and was in many other exhibitions.

She is in the permanent collection of the Lourvre in Paris.

Not much is known about Marion Powers Kirkpatrick’s connection to Vancouver, but it is perhaps possible that Francis S. Swales, the architect of the hotel saw her work at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco in 1915 and commissioned this mural in time for the Hotel’s grand opening in 1916.

The August 1916 edition of the Architect magazine is dedicated to the hotel, featuring text written by none other than the architect himself, Francis S. Swales. I got very excited recently when I discovered that this entire issue of the Architect is available on archive.org; I had seen the copy at the Vancouver Archives last year, and it is a phenomenal view of the greatest hotel we ever had. I actually searched all other posted issues of the Architect but failed to find any other major articles about Vancouver. But back to the mural, about which the architect writes:

A beautifully composed and richly colored decorative picture in the central lunette over the back bar, painted by Marion Powers Kirkpatrick, of Boston, is comparable with the work of Frank Braugwyn and gives the necessary glowing note of color that prevents what might otherwise be a somber effect.

The accompanying photos just barely show the mural in position over the bar on the lower level of the hotel. It’s hard to imagine having anything somber to say about the Hotel Vancouver #2, except for the fact that it was demolished just 33 years after it was built to make way for a parking lot.

This mural is currently on display at the Vancouver Maritime Museum, where it is part of their permanent collection. The fact that this mural outlived the hotel is something of small miracle. The mural’s second home also faced the wrecking ball, but fortunately for us, it was once again rescued at the last moment. From the description of the artwork at the museum:

Commissioned from an unknown source, Boston area artist Marion Powers Kirkpatrick created this mural to hang in the Hotel Vancouver. The painting was later installed in the lobby of Pier BC, over the double doors in the lobby that led to the walkway along the roof over the sheds of the pier. Pier BC was opened in 1927, but it is not known when exactly the painting was installed [I speculate it was probably just prior to the demolition of the hotel in 1949 when most of the hotel fixtures were auctioned off]. It hung there until 1980, a few days before Pier BC was demolished. Canada Place is where Pier BC used to be.

As for the depictions in the mural itself, I will refrain from being too critical of the subject matter. The scene is pure historical fantasy. If the Native Indians on the far right of the scene appear to be out of place, remember this was painted by an American woman from Boston who lived in a time long before the aid of the Internet. Captain George Vancouver’s musclebound crew are seen showing off their shirtless bodies while feasting on a tropical bounty no doubt just in from Hawaii. The small child in the foreground acts as a reminder of man’s responsibilities, fitting for all those who find themselves seated in front of the bar for too long.

This nearly 100 year old work of art is one of our city’s great hidden gems. I highly recommend a trip to the Maritime Museum to see it in person, and when you do, try to imagine what it must have been like to sit at this bar when the hotel was just one year old and prohibition kicked into effect for four long years (October 1, 1917–June 14, 1921).

An etching of the Spencer’s building, from a letter to the...

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:00:34 -0700

An etching of the Spencer's building, on letterhead dated September 8, 1942

A letter to the Windsor Hotel in New Westminster from Spencer's dated September 8, 1942

The proposed Spencer's building, from an article in The Romance of Vancouver, 1926. VPL Special Collections Call #: 971.133 V22vvb

An etching of the Spencer’s building, from a letter to the Windsor Hotel, New Westminster dated September 8, 1942. Here you can see the actual building very much as it appears today. By contrast, you may recall the proposed structure I featured twice before which would have overtaken the entire block. Changing Vancouver delves into this aspect of the story here.

And one final bit of Spencer’s lore, here are two of my favourite bits of vintage Vancouver motion picture. Part 1 and part 2 of the Spencer’s Christmas parade believed to be from 1927, from the Colonel Victor Spencer family fonds at the Vancouver Archives.

artists against artists - 2011 dtes woman’s housing march,...

Wed, 08 May 2013 11:00:30 -0700

artists against artists - 2011 dtes woman’s housing march, a monochromatic painting mounted to the construction wall right in front of the former Pantages Theatre on Hastings Street. More photos from the walk here.

The Shelly’s 4X Bakery Products ghost sign, recently...

Tue, 07 May 2013 11:00:16 -0700

The Shelly’s 4X Bakery Products ghost sign, recently restored by the Grandview Heritage Group. From their blog, Michael Kluckner writes:

Kudos all round for the completion of the project to restore the unique Shelly’s sign on the side of Via Tevere restaurant at Victoria and William. The owners of the restaurant paid the lion’s share of the costs; our Neighbourhood Small Grant will cover the balance of the materials costs, and we have money in our “celebration” budget (thank you, Hastings North Community Partners Group) for a proper interpretive sign, which will be unveiled at the neighbourhood party planned for June 23rd…

Artist Victoria Oginski led the team of 3 in the restoration, lending her technical skills to the stabilization of the painted surface, which was falling to bits two years after it was exposed to the weather during the removal of the 60-year-old stucco on the side of the old Victoria Drive Grocery …

She is also the best, fastest colour-matcher I’ve ever seen. I, Michael Kluckner, worked with Penny Street on the preparation and the painting. We finished up today by applying a coat of high-tech acrylic/epoxy sealer that will protect the surface from UV and any sort of graffiti that might happen along…

How old is the sign? Based on surviving examples of 4X advertisements that date from 1939 and the 1940s, we figure the sign’s design is at least as old as 1935…

I recommend checking out the entire blog post, as it is full of fascinating details that are definitely worth a read!

Hat’s off to everyone involved in the project! This particular sign has been one of the happiest reveals of a ghost sign ever uncovered in this town! Let’s hope there are still more exciting discoveries just waiting to be found!

Powell St. Wharf, Vancouver by Geoffroy Allan Rock (1923-2000),...

Mon, 06 May 2013 11:00:32 -0700

Powell St. Wharf, Vancouver by Geoffroy Allan Rock (1923-2000), titled & dated 1979 on reverse. Up for auction next month in Ottawa at Walkers, est price: CAD500 - CAD700.

Lost David Spencer Department Store Diamond Jubilee Murals Pt...

Sun, 05 May 2013 11:00:28 -0700

Spencer's Tableaux of Canadian History and Industry brochure, 1927

Inside Spencer's Tableaux of Canadian History and Industry brochure, 1927

Spencer's Greatest One Day Sale: published in the Vancouver News Herald on Monday, November 29, 1948. This was Spencer's last hurrah.

Spencer's mural of Simon Fraser by John Innes and George Southwell (inaccurate colours) image from the Belkin Gallery before deaccessioning.

Spencer's mural of Pioneer Agriculture by John Innes and George Southwell (image stitched & enhanced with simulated colours below) from the Belkin Gallery before deaccessioning.

Spencer's mural of Pioneer Fishing in Burrard Inlet by John Innes and George Southwell (image stitched & enhanced with simulated colours below) from the Belkin Gallery before deaccessioning.

Spencer's mural of Pioneer Mining by John Innes and George Southwell (image stitched & enhanced with simulated colours below) from the Belkin Gallery before deaccessioning.

Spencer's mural of Pioneer Logging by John Innes and George Southwell (image stitched & enhanced with simulated colours below) from the Belkin Gallery before deaccessioning.

The legacy of lost murals in British Columbia—destroyed, destroyed, probably destroyed, in situ, in storage, in Charlottetown, probably destroyed...from the book National Soul, appendix p 209.

Lost David Spencer Department Store Diamond Jubilee Murals Pt 2

This is a followup post on the long lost Spencer’s department store murals originally posted here. A few clarifications I need to make over last week’s post; I originally said Golden Jubilee, but in fact, it was the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation in 1927. And to be clear, David Spencer had passed away in 1920, but it was still common to refer to the department store as David Spencer Limited. To bring you up to speed, I’ve been trying to find out just what happened to these 1927 murals painted by John Innes and G.H. Southwell. The trail goes cold in December of 1948 when Spencer’s is acquired by the Timothy Eaton Company.

At this point in time, Eaton’s takes control of the Spencer’s store in Vancouver, transforming it into an Eaton’s store. In 1972, it was time for Eaton’s to move into the brand new Pacific Centre complex. Then on May 5, 1989, Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre officially opened its doors in the Spencer Building at 515 West Hastings. In search of the murals, I looked high and low, asking everyone I could think of, including the Vancouver Archives, the Vancouver Art Gallery Library, SFU, the Archives of Ontario which holds the Eaton’s archive, Gary Sim, Jaleen Grove, the VPL and more, but no one seemed to know the murals’ whereabouts.

I recently acquired from MacLeod’s Books the actual brochure that Spencer’s handed out in 1927 titled Tableaux of Canadian History and Industry. The VanArchives also has a copy. Regretfully, it contains no images of the murals, but it provides some context to the scenes and the Jubilee celebrations. It seems there was also a display of significant historical events in Canada’s history which they called the Historical Tableaux. This was executed by George Patterson, adapted from pictures by Charles W. Jefferys and Henry Sandham in Nelson’s Pictures of Canadian History. Furthermore, there was a series of Industrial Exhibits from Canadian manufacturers which were displayed in the store. It was like a mini Exposition!

I was about to give up early when I finally uncovered a significant clue! Page 76 of the book National Soul - Canadian Mural Painting, 1860s - 1930s by Marylin J. McKay states:

In 1927 John Innes (assisted by George Southwell) painted ten panels for the Vancouver department store of David Spencer (some panels destroyed, some panels in storage in the Art Gallery of the University of British Columbia). They represent logging, mining, fishing, and agriculture. One panel includes an image of Simon Fraser on the Fraser River…

So there you have it! I forgot to ask UBC! The book continues to offer clues, stating the paintings were removed from the store and donated to UBC, as noted in the Vancouver Sun on March 24, 1949. And I subsequently learned that according to the Spencer’s file at UBC, these two paintings did not survive this donation:

Captain Vancouver’s Ships at Nootka
Mackenzie Menaced by Indians at Bella Coola

Perhaps culturally, this is no great loss; early colonial depictions of First Nations are too often historically inaccurate, demeaning, and demoralizing. Had these scenes been painted by the most respected First Nations artist of the day, they certainly would have had different titles! While these murals may have a colonial naivete about them, I still feel they are a notable reflection of their time.

Since the book A National Soul was written in 2001, things have changed. Upon contacting the Belkin Art Gallery at UBC, I’ve learned that some of the 8 surviving murals were deaccessioned from their archives in August of 2008. After requesting photographs, 5 images including 4 hastily made panoramic photographs were sent documenting their poor condition. The murals were indeed a pale reflection of their former glory. The colours muted and the canvases scratched and torn, these murals certainly did not resemble the vibrant colours seen in the printed Spencer’s pamphlet from 1936. The quality of the artwork, logistical issues surrounding their storage, and the daunting task of restoration seemed too great a burden for the art gallery to maintain.

I’ve taken the roughly stitched panoramas and tried to simulate a restoration of colours to give you a slightly better indication of what the paintings may have looked like. Unfortunately, the quality of the photograph of Simon Fraser’s Canoes Descending the Fraser River is too poor to accurately correct, but at least you have some indication of the colours that cannot be seen in the black and white photograph. This painting was perhaps aesthetically the best work in the series, and it’s a shame it has not found it’s way to the art collection at SFU.

Of the four panoramic murals, the Pioneer Fishing mural and Pioneer Farming mural appear to have the same dimensions. Likewise, the Pioneer Logging and Pioneer Mining murals appear to have matching dimensions. While we may not be able to determine precisely where these paintings hung inside Spencer’s, future photographic discoveries may one day help to answer this question. I do think the Pioneer Fishing mural would have looked handsome on display somewhere in town today, even in its unrestored state. The scene clearly depicts the Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Mountains, one of the most popular and recognizable views in the city. It did appear to have been in the best condition of the 5 photographed murals.

I had presumed that deaccession most certainly meant these paintings were now lost, but in fact, this is not the case. There was one other person I wanted to ask about these murals, and as it turns out, this was precisely the person I needed to speak with. Upon emailing Cheryle Harrison of Conserv-Arte, I’ve learned that these four pioneer murals have been entrusted to her! Cheryle was the conservator for the Southwell paintings in the B.C. Legislature and she led the restoration of the Malaspina Hotel murals created by EJ Hughes, Orville Fisher, and Paul Goranson, so there is perhaps no more qualified guardian for their future. As for the other four murals of historical scenes, I’m not quite certain where they’ve ended up. Lost, destroyed, stolen, or deaccessioned, I have yet to track them down. To review, here are the missing titles once again:

Captain Vancouver Exploring Burrard Inlet
Ships of Spain off Point Grey
Simon Fraser’s Canoes Descending the Fraser River
Trading with the Indians at Fort Victoria, 1845

And so, I must conclude my epic search for the long lost Spencer’s department store murals (for now at least). Like so many murals around the world, they have slipped into the past, nearly forgotten. The story behind these murals seems to me almost as fragile as the murals themselves. Having pieced together the details above, I take some consolation in the fact that their story has once again been told. There are so few specimens that do survive, increased awareness of the rarity and fragility of historical murals is perhaps one of the best possible outcomes of this quest. The next time you see a mural in situ, be sure to treasure it!

The Emily Carr Show for 2013; Sunday, May 5, 2013 (All day) -...

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:00:33 -0700

The Emily Carr Show for 2013; Sunday, May 5, 2013 (All day) - Sunday, May 19, 2013 (All day). From their site:

Join us as our campus is transformed — featuring more than 300 works from this year’s Design, Media and Visual Arts graduates.

Lotus Land, Architecture & Infrastructure, an upcoming show...

Thu, 02 May 2013 11:00:00 -0700

Lotus Land postcard for Charles Keillor's upcoming show at the Artemis Gallery in Deep Cove.

The 2400 Motel on Kingsway by Charles Keillor.

No Parking, and Children at Play, views along E 1st Avenue near Clinton Park by Charles Keillor.

Lotus Land, Architecture & Infrastructure, an upcoming show by Vancouver artist Charles Keillor. Also seen here are Auto Court, No Parking, and Children at Play, representing the famous 2400 Motel on Kingsway and two similar views along E 1st Avenue, near Clinton Park. Charles is having a show at the Artemis Gallery in Deep Cove, North Vancouver in May 10-June 2. The exhibition’s opening is slated for Friday evening, May 10 and the show will be comprised of a series of large scale graphite works depicting local residential, commercial, and industrial infrastructure. Charles writes:

Among other things, these drawings reflect my interest in the Lower Mainland “suburban” architecture of the recent past. In this instance, the classic post-war bungalow; which dominated certain neighbourhoods (and still does I suppose), prior to the arrival of the “Vancouver Special” (which will also be represented in the show, along with my personal residential favourite, the mid-century modern “Post and Beamer”).

The Vancouver Public Library Strategic Plan 2013 - 2015, via...

Wed, 01 May 2013 11:00:14 -0700

The Vancouver Public Library Strategic Plan 2013 - 2015, via Youtube. Cue the video to 0:42 for a quick sketch of Library Square! Thanks, Richard!

Great Moments in Park Board History – 1909 by John Atkin. He...

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:00:34 -0700

Great Moments in Park Board History – 1909 by John Atkin. He writes on his blog:

In 1909, someone thought it might be a good idea to build grain elevators on Deadman’s Island. Park Board turned the idea down.

cloudscapecomics: ‘Stratus’ soon fellow cartoonists!...

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:00:29 -0700

cloudscapecomics:

‘Stratus’ soon fellow cartoonists! Cloudscape’s biggest art show at the Ayden Gallery opens on May 3 at 7:00pm.

If you haven’t signed up yet, do so here! https://www.facebook.com/events/148990701925781/

BK Munn writes about the upcoming show:

Billing it as a “giant show” launching with a signing by all the involved creators, Cloudscape founder Jeff Ellis, reminds us of the origin of the retrospective: “I had a dream that I wanted to boost local comics in Vancouver, The next idea that came… [was] ‘we have all of these artists making comics – rather than spending money to do our own individual works, why don’t we work together and pool our resources to publish something?’”

In the Village T shirt design contest! Shown here are some of...

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:00:35 -0700

In the Village T shirt design contest! Shown here are some of the contestants, including Leah Gregg & Kim Ridgewell, Melanie Kimmett, and Jane Koo. Vote here before the end of the month! From the VIAwesome:

We’ve commissioned ten local illustrators and graphic designers to produce designs inspired by the Village on False Creek. The top three voted designs will then be put in front of a jury which includes VANCOUVERISAWESOME’s Bob Kronbauer, Bob Rennie, and one yet-to-be-named judge. We’ll choose one design from those that’ll be printed onto t-shirts which we’ll be giving away.