Emma FitzGerald - Hand Drawn Vancouver: Sketches of the Citys Neighbourhoods, Buildings, and People

I moved to North Vancouver aged seven. I was no stranger to moving by the time we arrived, so it wasnt a surprise when soon after settling in, we moved again to West Vancouver. Or that I later attended high school on the west side of Vancouver, all the way over two sets of bridges.

My daily commute to school, an hour each way in the backseat of the car, was an education in the geography of the city. We passed through Dundarave and Ambleside, stalled in traffic at Park Royal, went over the Capilano River Reserve while crossing the Lions Gate Bridge, and then were momentarily surrounded by trees in Stanley Park. It was often a quick drive through the West End and Downtown, seemingly before anyone else was awake, then over the Burrard or sometimes Granville Bridge, through Kitsilano, all the way to Dunbaronly to do it all in reverse at the end of the day. Looking out of the window, I discovered that each neighbourhoood had its own unique architecture and population, and they became endlessly interesting to me.

Later, while studying Visual Art at the University of British Columbia, just past Point Grey, I spent more of my free time on Commercial Drive and Main Street. I taught art classes on Granville Island and in Strathcona, and even painted a mural in Hastings Sunrise. The more I explored Vancouver, the more my understanding of it grew.

After my undergrad I moved to Nova Scotia, where I wrote and illustrated two books based there. Returning to Vancouver after fourteen years of living away, I relearned the city in the process of making this book. Instead of visiting an archive, my research was conducted on the citys streets, with pen and paper in hand. Sketching on location is a way of learning a placenot just its sights, but also its smells and sounds as the world continues its hum around me. I was drawn to places where community naturally forms, as well as the places that had left a mark on me, knowing that if they had survived the passage of time, they must be special to others as well.

I colour my drawings later, digitally, and excavate both my notes and my memories for text. Some of the stories youll read in this book are from the people Ive met while sketching, or snippets of conversation I overheard. Ive tried my best to respect the people and places I have portrayed, and I acknowledge that any mistakes are my own.

For some, Vancouver is a place you can ski and sail in the same day. For me, its a place I can eat a steamed bun from a Chinese bakery while watching the sunset on the Pacific, swim with harbour seals within view of the citys glass skyscrapers, and wander through back lanes and beaches.

Whether you are a visitor or resident, I hope that you see some of your Vancouver in this book, and take it as an invitation to make more of your own discoveries in this remarkable city.

Beachfront apartments in Kits with lush gardens make for dreamy homes.

The Lions Gate Bridge and the Stanley Park Seawall.

There are many transportation options in Coal Harbourlike floatplane, yacht, or rowboator you can head out on foot or by bicycle around Stanley Park Seawall. This morning, preparations are underway for a wedding at the Vancouver Rowing Club. The sun rises, casting a rosy glow on the North Shore mountains.

At English Bay, a trio plays the jazz standard What a Wonderful World, and a passerby starts to sing along. I agreethat is, except for the minor irritation of some ants. Seemingly in search of a picnic, they crawl up and down my arm as I sketch. In the distance, Bard on the Beach tents are readied for an evening of performances, and the barge for summer fireworks stands ready in the water.