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Welcome to my collection of charcoal sketches, where tugboats and river tales from Vancouver and Richmond come alive. Each drawing tells a story, blending history with a touch of whimsy.
Born on Vancouver Island and taught by my mother, my art journey is deeply rooted in tradition. In the 1970s, my father worked for a specialized logging company, and we lived on the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island. Our small school, with just 18-20 students from grades 1 to 12, was inventive and hands-on. I was in the 3rd grade.
We practiced all sorts of art and took nature walks. I remember casting sand candles on the beach and using charcoal from past campfires as my primary drawing tool. To this day, I continue to practice the art of charcoal drawing.
Here are my latest works, celebrating BC's rich marine heritage.
Sketched on location in 2024.
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Test-driving my custom Plein Air easel today. Big shout-out to Mark at Phoenix Art Supplies for hooking me up with the goods for the Grand Prix of Art. Ended up sketching the "Starliner" at Britannia Shipyard—spontaneous pick, off the beaten path. This grand old dame needs some serious TLC, but she's a sight to behold in this 8-acre time capsule. Charcoal can't capture the lively contrast of the blooming rose bush beside it. Promise, paint's coming next. Just tuning my tone and composition for now.
Medium | charcoal | Size 14” X 17” | Location: Steveston: Latitude: 49.1242° N Longitude: 123.1822° W
Date: June, 2024
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My recent charcoal sketch of the east side of the Britannia Shipyards building breathes life into the rich history of this iconic site. The sketch captures the shipyard’s structure and age, with charcoal uniquely highlighting the character of old buildings and revealing their hidden stories.
The Britannia Shipyards began as a cannery in the late 1800s and transformed into a shipyard. Notably, the Hudson's Bay Company clipper, Titania, visited in 1889, transporting the first shipment of canned salmon from Steveston to Europe. This event marked the beginning of Britannia's storied maritime history. The shipyard has since been a hub of activity, with bustling boatworks like the Murakami Boatworks and the restoration of historic vessels like the Silver Ann.
If these walls could talk, they’d recount tales of Titania’s visit and countless other maritime adventures. My sketch honors these narratives, reflecting the legacy and life of the Britannia Shipyards, where art and history collide in charcoal.
Medium | charcoal | Size 24” X 18” | Location: Steveston: Latitude: 49.1242° N Longitude: 123.1822° W
Date: May, 2024
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In my latest charcoal creation, I blend water-soluble charcoal with broad watercolor strokes to capture the vibrant red fascia boards of Steveston's most historical building, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. These walls hold some of Steveston's most prized memories and artifacts, embodying the rich history of BC's most notorious fishing community. The interplay of charcoal and watercolor brings this storied building to life, reflecting the essence of Steveston's legacy.
Medium | charcoal | Size 24” X 18” | Location: Steveston: 49.1241° N, 123.1844° W
Date: May, 2024
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Captured amidst the midday sun, this charcoal sketch evokes the tranquil beauty of low tide, accentuated by the weathered remains of dock posts once bustling with activity. Situated outside the Fisheries and Oceans Canada building in Steveston, it portrays modern ships against a backdrop steeped in Richmond's fishing history. Each weathered vessel moored symbolizes daring adventures on the sea, amidst the bustling atmosphere of fishermen and soaring seagulls. This depiction breathes life into the pier, embodying the vibrant spirit of a community shaped by its maritime heritage.
Medium: Charcoal
Size: 24” X 18”
Location: Steveston
Coordinates: Latitude 49.1242° N, Longitude 123.1822° W
Date: May, 2024
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In the world of charcoal, rules bend, perspectives blur. I sketched this fuel tanker with raw, unfiltered strokes, avoiding smudges as I worked from left to right. The ship's proportions morphed under my charcoal's command, no true perspective, just emotion on paper.
Photographs can't match charcoal's soul. With each stroke, I seized the ship's essence, highlighting its most striking features. This wasn't rehearsed; it was an unbridled expression. Charcoal's rugged touch, sooted fingertips, and the thrill of finishing before the ship departed fueled my art.
#CharcoalRebel #StiSanTelmoSketch
Medium | charcoal | Size 24” X 18” | Location: Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation
Date: May, 2024
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From my studio window, I captured this live charcoal sketch as two watercraft glided past, set against the serene backdrop of Deas Island Park. The swift, unfiltered strokes convey the dynamic movement and tranquil atmosphere of the scene, bringing the river's lively essence to paper.
Medium: Charcoal | Size: 11” x 5” Location: Deas Island Park, viewed from Riverport Way
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Britannia Shipyard in all its overcast glory, the old SS Master docked like a ghost from the past. Canada geese hustling, smoky clouds drifting, cattails standing tall. A wild scene, raw and real.
Medium | charcoal | Size 24” X 18” | Location: Steveston: Latitude: 49.1242° N Longitude: 123.1822° W
Date: April, 2024
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Under the dusky sky, Britannia Heritage Shipyard stood, a sentinel of history. With charcoal in hand, I sketched its weathered façade, each stroke a whisper of the stories held within its walls. As the sun shined at high noon, my sketch captured the timeless spirit of this maritime marvel, a tribute to its enduring legacy. May, 2024
Status (sold)
Medium | charcoal | Size 14” X 10.5” | Location: Steveston: Latitude: 49.1242° N Longitude: 123.1822° W
Date: May, 2024
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In strokes of charcoal, I captured the eclectic dance of boats on Cannery Channel, each line a tribute to the patchwork of vessels moored there. Yet, amidst the present scene, my mind wandered back seven decades, yearning to sketch the bustling life of the thriving cannery days.
Medium | charcoal | Size 24” X 18” | Location: Steveston: Latitude: 49.1242° N Longitude: 123.1822° W
Date: April, 2024
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In the wild, untamed heart of Richmond's corner lies the Riverport Flats. This isn't just any development; it's my studio, my lair, perched above the Fraser River. From here, I witness a ballet of marine vessels, a parade of steel and salty river water.
The view is a direct line to Deas Island Park. This patch of earth is a sanctuary, offering a bird's eye view of a bygone era, where the Fraser was a bustling fishing highway, a relentless artery of commerce and life.
Here, the history of marine transportation flows seamlessly into the present, fueling my art with every whisper of the river. It’s a place where past and present collide. When I'm not working, this is where I come to let my mind wander and my charcoal dance across the canvas.
Medium: Charcoal
Size: 10.5” x 16”
Latitude: 49.1368 Longitude: -123.0522
Date: May, 2024
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My studio, nestled at the east end of Steveston Highway in Richmond, commands a view of the mighty Fraser River. From my window, I witness a constant parade of watercraft of all shapes and sizes. With a deft hand, I capture these passing ships in live gesture sketches, each moment fleeting, each stroke swift, dictated by the speed of the vessels as they navigate the river's currents.
Medium | charcoal | Size 12.5” X 19” | Location: Steveston: Latitude: 49.1739° N Longitude: 123.0957° W
Date: March 2024
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Trying to capture these tugboats as they putt-putt past my studio window is a gas. This live charcoal sketch was created as two watercraft glided by, set against the serene backdrop of Deas Island Park. The swift, unfiltered strokes convey the dynamic movement and tranquil atmosphere of the scene. Each time, I thoroughly enjoy the end product. I've started adding eyes to the boats—they look cute, kind of like Pixar cars. I'm a huge fan of Jay Shuster, the concept artist and Pixar rockstar.
Medium | charcoal on Vellum | Size 8” X 10” | Location: Steveston: Latitude: 49.1739° N Longitude: 123.0957° W
Date: June 2024
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My charcoal rendition of Finn Slough delves into the soul of this historic riverside sanctuary. With each stroke, the landscape emerges with a raw, firm pressure akin to the resilience of its modern-day stilt dwellers. Once a bustling Finnish fishing community, it now cradles those seeking the tranquil embrace of river life—a charming enclave where each weathered plank tells tales of yesteryears and the river's embrace whispers stories of resilience. This charcoal immersion beckons you to wander through its rustic beauty, inviting you to uncover the old tales woven into its storied waterside charm.
Medium: Charcoal
Size: 9” X 12”
Location: Steveston
Coordinates: Latitude 49.1100° N, Longitude 123.0964° W"
Date: March 2024
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Nestled snugly between A Dock and B Dock of Paramount Pound, just outside the Weatherhood Steveston Harbour Station, lies a quaint gathering of watercrafts. Each vessel bears the proud scars of its journey on the Fraser River and the Salish Seas, weaving tales of adventure and resilience. These fiercely crafted boats, adorned with weathered charm, serve as an irresistible muse for charcoal sketches. In a brisk session, I captured their essence in a quick draw—a testament to their enduring allure and the timeless tales they carry.
Medium: Charcoal
Size: 9” X 12”
Location: Steveston
Coordinates: Latitude 49.1272° N, Longitude 123.1682° W"
Date: March 2024
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Meet the timeless icon of the seas: the 102-year-old Tug Boat, affectionately named the Master. Preserved by the SS Master Society, this wooden-hulled beauty stands as British Columbia's sole remaining steam-powered tugboat. Its majestic presence is a sight to behold, capturing the imagination of all who encounter it. Last year, I had the privilege of painting this maritime marvel at The Grand of Art. Now, I present my latest charcoal tribute to this historic vessel.
Medium | charcoal | Size 9” X 12”
Location: Steveston:
Latitude: 49.1272° N Longitude: 123.1682° W
Date: March 2024