Saturday Stroll (Unframed)

950 s/n / 95 AP

Image size: 14 1/4 ” x 20 1/2 “

“Saturday Stroll” could be based on dozens of streets in Southern Ontario, but the inspiration for my painting came from the quaint and now trendy Locke Street in my hometown of Hamilton Ontario. The street runs from Aberdeen Avenue to the back of the park at Dundurn Castle. As with many of the streets in this venerable area of the city, Locke Street is steeped in history dating back to the early 1800’s. Locke Street even had a racetrack which hosted the popular Steeplechases. ‘Beasley Racetrack’ was located adjoining the site of the current Beasley’s Restaurant. Many of the stores that I love to shop in had to be omitted from my vantage point in order for me to capture the true character of the scene.

Today Locke Street is filled with antique stores, lovely boutiques, florists, spas and hair salons. An organic market and the famous Beach Road Meats melds with century-old homes, apartments and fashionable lofts. Restaurants abound on Locke Street with everything from the popular West Town Grill to the sophisticated dining at II Fiasco and every type in between. I have spent countless hours walking with Chaucer, while I window shopped and stopped for a coffee and Bagel. Locke Street not only has a vitality to it but also a warmth from both the merchants and people that flock to this street. “Saturday Stroll” is a depiction of family time, spent together, enjoying the sun and fresh air in this lovely setting.