Sketching at the Alberta Legislature Building

The Alberta Legislature Building was completed in 1913. It stands on a site which was once a location for Fort Edmonton, a fur trading post. How romantic when you think about the history of this site!

This was the venue for the September sketchcrawl of Urban Sketchers Edmonton. Our small group of intrepid sketchers were windblown and frozen by the end (13 degrees C not counting windchill) but were lucky to get a couple of sunny hours in. This sadly could be the last outdoor sketch meet for the year.

Copic multiliner, Pentel Brush Pen, watercolour,  on Strathmore 400 series Watercolour Journal 7.75”x9.75”.

For more on The Alberta Legislature.

Rutherford House

Built in 1911 Rutherford House was the home of Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first Premier of Alberta and founder of the University of Alberta. Saved from demolition, it became an Alberta Provincial Historic Site in 1970. The house (open to visitors) has been restored and furnished with belongings of the Rutherford family among other Edwardian-era artifacts. Originally built on spacious grounds, it is presently quite hemmed in as buildings of the adjoining University of Alberta encroach onto it. 

It still has a nice garden at the front (with strategically placed seats) which made for a very pleasant sketching venue. 

Presently closed for renovations, the Arbour Room in Rutherford House is expected to re-open in 2015/16. On the menu in this tearoom is tea and scones…the latter baked from the exact recipe of Mrs. Rutherford!

Here is the side view showing the tearoom on the right at the back of the house (a converted sun room). 

I’m starting to like using my Pentel Brush Pen and appreciating a good watercolour paper sketchbook.

Copic multiliner, Pentel Brush Pen, watercolour,  on #Strathmore400 series Watercolour Journal 7.75”x9.75”

For more information on Rutherford House.

More Train Sketching

You could say I have a thing about train sketching. These sketches were done over 4 train trips. On each trip I caught a bit more of the passing neighbourhood. Embellishments done at home.

This next one was sketched from the Health Sciences Station platform while waiting for the train.

Pitt pen in Global Handbook Journal (5.5"x5.5").

Assiniboia Hall

Assiniboia Hall was built in 1912. It is one of the 3 oldest buildings on the campus of the University of Alberta, Edmonton (Athabasca and Pembina Halls next door being the other two). All three were built in the Collegiate Gothic style. It was formerly a student dorm but now houses faculty offices. This building has particular significance as my spouse has had his office in this building for the past 13 years. 

Below is a plaque to John Kuspira outside Assiniboia Hall, University of Alberta. I did this sketch one Saturday recently while he was working on the (mammoth) task of clearing out his office. 

Dare I say even I felt a tinge of sadness that day.

Men in Cranes

Men in cranes near our apartment have been busy all summer. Here the cranes were conveniently parked together for the Heritage Day public holiday.

T&T Supermarket

Sketching at the live seafood section of the newly opened T&T Asian Supermarket (southside branch) and some shrimp dumplings to finish up with. It’s nice that this new branch is close to where we live. 

We went again on another day to buy some roast pork. Don’t go too early as it doesn’t come on sale until closer to lunchtime. Not as good as in Singapore but good enough, at least my spouse got his fix. 

Toffee Apples and Cinnamon Buns

After I asked nicely, the man making toffee apples let me sketch him. He was scraping out an old lot of toffee from the copper kettle before he put a new batch in. 

The toffee apples are something else! 

The Cinnzeo (cinnamon bun shop) baker was too fast to sketch. 

Southgate Mall, Edmonton.  Who said there was nothing to sketch in a mall.