Top of the High Street, Berwick

During Covid in early 2021, white concrete blocks were put up in the garden median strip at the top of the High Street in Berwick (an outer suburb of Melbourne). These blocks were there to provide seating, encouraging people to spend more time outdoors. In late 2022, they were replaced with colourful blocks and matching umbrellas for shade. I can't say I like the garish colours but they have become a feature of the area. 

If you want to avoid the freeway, the High Street is a thoroughfare to the ever growing suburbs to the East, through what used to be a small quiet suburb with "an English country feel". Today the High Street is a busy road with too much traffic especially at school pickup time. There are so many schools in the vicinity it's not funny! I'm told that in the old days people from the wealthy Melbourne suburb of Toorak had country homes in Berwick (that would be north of the railway line as the area south was all farmland). Perhaps their children attended the private schools in the neighbourhood.  

This sketch was done in two sessions in the same week. I went back the second time to add a suggestion of background shops behind the umbrellas and to choose something to fill the page spread.  I decided on some plants from the nice garden area and not the statue of Edwin Flack. That will have to wait for another page. 

Here's the sketch before a suggestion of the background shops was added. I'm not sure which I like better – with or without. Both have their merits. 

#Sailorfude pen, watercolour, #Stillman&Birn Beta Sketchbook, 8.5 x 5.5”.