I have been watching television show Grand Designs UK. Host Kevin McCloud refers to a human passion for building homes in an evocative manner. Tonight he concluded the show with this statement:"Never underestimate the power of a building to reach into our imaginations". I agree wholeheartedly!
I started capturing buildings as a kid. My father was a builder of many over his career. I drew some of the homes he constructed, as birthday gifts every now and then. During my Interior Design studies, at university in the early 90's, I was consumed with drawing built forms: construction drawings, presentation sketches, design proposals, and the occasional house portrait for a family friend or acquaintance. My former maths teacher from senior school asked me to portray his old Queenslander home in Mackay as a gift for his wife, also a former teacher of mine.
Fast forward to 2017
I can't draw or paint fast enough! I wish I didn't have to sleep. I see so many worthy scenes: of houses and gardens, rows of homes along a street, corners of buildings with great shapes, windows in the sun, places that 'reach into our imaginations' as McCloud said. Buildings are as unique as the people who live in them.
I feel honoured to have been asked by family, friends, neighbours, and complete strangers to preserve the memory of their 'place'; to paint or draw a building portrait just for them.
Thank you to those who have entrusting me to create a tribute to their special place.
I'll have to paint my own place one day...