The back of a building in Herridge Lane; part alley, part street in Nelson, BC.
Last weekend Anie and I ditched the chilluns with our surrogate grandparents (thanks Auntie Dale-Ann and Jack!) and headed for the West Kootenays for an over-nighter. We spent a leisurely afternoon in Nelson, BC. where they have a ton of well-preserved architecture that begs for sketching. Since we didn’t have any kids in tow, and there is a specific hemp clothing store that Anie can spend hours in, I spent some time walking down alleys drawing old buildings.
Further down Herridge Lane, the back of the door read 'Swingers Social Club and Squash Court'. The name makes you wonder.
I have a weak spot for the backs of the buildings and alleys because there is something more real about them. Given the choice, I’ll walk an alley in deference to a street because you get to see a side of a neighbourhood that you do not normally get to. People often doll up the fronts of their living quarters, but the back is honest and revealing. Here are a couple of the sketches I did in Herridge Lane. One of the buildings had a sign on the back that read “Swingers Social Club and Squash Court” which seemed like a dubious and unlikely name to find on the back of an old building in downtown Nelson, but I didn’t go in to check what it meant exactly.
5 thoughts on “New Sketches, Old Buildings”
hi Michael!
I found reference to these sketches via Twitter . . .
I own a business in Herridge Lane: Global Underground (the Red Door!! http://www.global-underground.net shameless self-promotion!) Thanks for these amazing renderings of parts of our little Lane! we just used both of the spaces you sketched for a promotional photo shoot–so much character! I’m writing to shed some light on the ‘Swingers’ sign: It’s a small, privately owned racquetball/squash club with the main entrance on Baker St. (what you saw was the back/emergency exit). Funny thing is, you used to be able to rent the social lounge/bar area for private gigs. I have a couple local DJ friends who would throw “a Swingers Party” every couple months. I LOVED hearing people talk about the Swingers Parties knowing that someone eavesdropping would jump to the wrong conclusion and think Nelson is the key party capitol of Canada!!
Would you mind if i posted links to your sketches on our Facebook page?
Let me know,
thx! Michelle
Nice to hear from you! I am familiar with the Global Underground, and have been in there (though I sauntered past this time on my way to sketching). I know that the Swingers is a real squash club, but couldn’t resist the temptation of furthering a scandal 🙂 Please do use the drawings on your facebook page with a credit and link to the blog post. Have a great week!
michael
hi Michael!
I found reference to these sketches via Twitter . . .
I own a business in Herridge Lane: Global Underground (the Red Door!! http://www.global-underground.net shameless self-promotion!) Thanks for these amazing renderings of parts of our little Lane! we just used both of the spaces you sketched for a promotional photo shoot–so much character! I’m writing to shed some light on the ‘Swingers’ sign: It’s a small, privately owned racquetball/squash club with the main entrance on Baker St. (what you saw was the back/emergency exit). Funny thing is, you used to be able to rent the social lounge/bar area for private gigs. I have a couple local DJ friends who would throw “a Swingers Party” every couple months. I LOVED hearing people talk about the Swingers Parties knowing that someone eavesdropping would jump to the wrong conclusion and think Nelson is the key party capitol of Canada!!
Would you mind if i posted links to your sketches on our Facebook page?
Let me know,
thx! Michelle
Michelle,
Nice to hear from you! I am familiar with the Global Underground, and have been in there (though I sauntered past this time on my way to sketching). I know that the Swingers is a real squash club, but couldn’t resist the temptation of furthering a scandal 🙂 Please do use the drawings on your facebook page with a credit and link to the blog post. Have a great week!
Yo…I think we’re going to commission you to do some art for us. Must talk. soon. $$$ involved. And hard liquor. Stay tuned. Love the regular art work.
Ciao,
Your pal and admirer,
Dim Willy
We welcome payment in all forms: greenbacks and green bottles 🙂 The admiration is mutual, my photographic friend.