16"x 20" oil on canvas
My father, a truly great man, use to tell me stories of his mother bringing him and his family to eat at the restaurant of the City Motor Hotel on Sundays as a child. By the time I reached adolescence, this East End landmark had a very different reputation. It has since been demolished. I prefer to remember it as a place where families would gather and share great times. On a side note my Mother is going to be jealous I said that about my Dad, I love you too Ma! you're awesome and I will never forget the laughs you and I have had.
20" x 30" oil on canvas
For nearly a half century, George R. Robinson (1840 to 1917) was bandmaster of the 13th Battalion, now known as the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.
The military band was struggling before Robinson took it over in 1869. But within a short time he managed to build it into a well-disciplined touring machine that travelled across the continent, spreading word about the battalion and the City of Hamilton. (The Spectator, October 12, 2012).
The band shell was constructed in 1947 and still stands in the West side of Gage Park.
36" x 48" oil on canvas
The Queen Victoria statue was erected in the western tip of Gore park in 1908. Twenty two thousand people came to her unveiling. During the creation of the statue, a bag was enshrined within the base. The contents of the bag were as follows: city and telephone directories of 1901 and 1907, a Canadian Almanac of 1901 and 1907, copies of the Times, Spectator and Herald, copies of the revised by-laws and the financial statements of the city, current coins and stamps, a Union Jack, a Canadian flag, a list of the members of the city council, board of education and advisory board, and a copy of the Bible.
24"x30" oil on canvas
The Niagara Escarpment was formed approximately 430 to 415 million years ago. This means that it was formed before the formation of the Niagara Falls and before the dinosaur extinction.
12" x 12" oil on canvas
One day when I was on my way home from jiu-jitsu at Joslin's I had to pull over and snap a photo of this scene so that I could paint it that night. I'm still not entirely sure what this building is. I do know that it's built into the escarpment and it looks badass.
24"x40" oil on canvas
This beautiful alley view is about 20 feet from my parking spot every morning. I'll always love the choice of colour of the gate door.
24"x30" oil on canvas
Located in the East End of Hamilton, this corner store is a staple of my childhood. It was always stocked with the best quantity of Uncle Ray's chips.
12"x12" oil on canvas
Sometimes buildings or architecture will catch my eye and need to be painted. I drive by this East End house all the time.
16" x 20" oil on canvas
The Pearl Company, named after the pearls lodged between its floor boards, was built around 1910 and was originally built for the Evel Casket Company which never actually moved in. It became Reid Paper Box for many years; you can still see the ghost sign on the south side of the building. Then for approximately 30 years it housed The Canadian Pearl Company which made costume jewellery.
Barbara Milne and Gary Santucci came along in 2006 and saw huge potential for both the Landsdale Neighbourhood and the Arts Community, and decided to use all that space for arts, culture and neighbourhood needs. Through 2007 and 2008 and into the present Milne and Santucci have set a number of projects in motion, ranging from concerts to community activism, and the renowned Art Bus. (www.thepearlcompany.ca)
30" x 30" oil on canvas
I pass by this beautiful building on my way to work everyday and everyday I glance over at her. There is just something about the bricks, colour of the boarded windows, fire escapes, and that infamous black suited man painting that I absolutely love.
16" x 20" oil on canvas
This Ain't Hollywood is located in the infamous McKenzie House, which was established in 1893. The bar describes themselves as "A proud North End Rock'n'Roll bar".
12"x12" oil on canvas
I often drive by Durand Coffee on Charleston. It's a great little place full of energy. I was always struck by their Eastern facing wall. I snapped a photo and created this painting just a few weeks before the wall was covered by a very nice mural. I'm proud that this painting is now hanging in the coffee shop itself.