Vancouver Public Library

Looking from the corner of Homer and Robson, this is the view of the main entrance of the Vancouver central library. The building, completed in 1995, was designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie after a referendum and a design competition. According to Wikipedia, it was the largest capital project approved by the City of Vancouver at the time, costing more than 106 million dollars. The curved surfaces and colonnade make it one of the most unique public buildings in Canada. The Library Square project incorporates an office tower, coffee shops and a glass-ceiling galleria. It's a warm and inviting public space, especially on rainy days.

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

This is the top of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, which is located at the corner of West Georgia Street and Burrard Street. It was completed in 1939. Like the other hotels that used to be part of the Canadian National and the Canadian Pacific railway groups, it exhibits old world gentility and an architectural style reminiscent of the French chateaux. It's almost 120 metres high and stands out among the more modern skyscrapers that surround it. At night, the roof is illuminated to create an appealing effect.

Another wet day in Vancouver

November is usually the wettest month in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, and this month is shaping up to be wetter than normal. Already more than 170 mm of precipitation has fallen in the greater Vancouver area and some communities have experienced flooding.

This is a collage of people I watched this morning at the corner of Cambie Street and 8th Avenue. Umbrellas are everyone's best friend these days, and a little rain is not enough to stop weekend shoppers.

Household objects

Due to the weather, my sketching lately has been confined to some common indoor objects.

Even though we often see household items as dull and ordinary, they seem to take on a life of their own when we recreate them on paper.

Still, I'm looking forward to getting outside again soon.

Vancouver City Hall

Located at the corner of Cambie Street and West 12th Avenue, Vancouver City Hall is an imposing building with a spectacular view across False Creek to the north and the densely populated downtown core.

Built in 1936, this 12-storey building exhibits art deco influences. A statue of Captain George Vancouver, in whose honour the city is named, stands near the front of the building near these trees. I will probably return to sketch the statue one of these days.

Under Granville Bridge, Vancouver

Granville Island is a popular Vancouver attraction. From its days as an industrial area, the island was transformed in the 1970s and 1980s into a popular destination for both residents and visitors of the city. A colourful public market offers a plentiful selection of fresh food of all types, while art galleries, pottery studios, a university, waterside restaurants and many different shops give people good reason to stroll the area for hours at a time.

My wife and I stopped for a cappuccino at the Blue Parrot coffee shop under the Granville Bridge, and I couldn't resist taking out my notebook. The view here is looking towards the north shore of False Creek.

A bird surprises a bird watcher

This sketch was inspired by a Life magazine photograph from 1990 by Norbert Rosing.

I had fun doing this some time ago. Drawing is for me a new way to view the world and exercise parts of my mind that I don't use often. I find that drawing or sketching at the end of the day can also be a way to enjoy a zen-like tranquillity where time doesn't seem to matter so much.

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