|
Home Page
Buildings
Places
People
Miscellaneous
Pen and
Ink
Pen and
Ink
with Washes
| |
The following images record
architectural details of Judson Park, constructed in early twentieth
century Cleveland Heights, Ohio as the Bicknell family home, this mansion
today serves as part of a state-of-the-art retirement community.
|
|
Wall Lamp
Aged to perfection, the patina and detailing on this wall lamp suggests
the elegance and refinement to be found inside the former Bicknell mansion
in it's heyday. The lamp is mounted on the wall outside the main
entrance to the mansion.
Original: 9x11, Graphite, Technical Pen and Watercolor washes |
Dormer and twin, twisted chimneys
The masonry on the building shows a high level of skill and craftsmanship.
There are nearly a dozen chimneys on the roof, each chimney or group of
chimneys of a different design. There are triple, double, and single
chimneys. As this drawing shows, the brickwork is mirrored on the
two chimneys, rotating in opposite directions, and each with a hexagonal
base. Each cap is a beautifully carved, single piece of stone.
The individual bricks forming the edges of the spirals on the body of each
chimney was cut by hand to the proper angle.
Original: 9x11, Graphite, Technical Pen and Watercolor washes |
|
|
|
Sundial
High above the grand entrance, this sundial displays the correct time of
day (while the sun is shining) to visitors to the mansion. The
mansion's completion date of 1920 is displayed above the dial.
Original: 9x11, Graphite, Technical Pen and Watercolor washes |
Bicknell Mansion Front Entrance
The outer archway is surmounted by the family crest, perhaps a version of
the Bicknell crest, in this instance what appears to be two dragons
holding a shield. Between the outer arch and the main oaken door are
alcoves on each side, with stone benches on which to rest, and arched
openings so you may look out over the lawns.
Original: 9x11, Graphite, Technical Pen and Watercolor washes |
|
|
|
Single Stone Chimney
This beautifully carved stone chimney rises
several feet from it's base, and then makes a one-eighth clockwise twist,
before continuing it's rise to the stone cap. The design is
intricate, and obviously required careful planning. Enhancing the
chimney's character are a few artistically placed brick inserts that
provide spots of muted red for interest. It reminds me of the work
of Piet Mondrian - 1920's chimney modern art!
Original: 9x11, Graphite, Technical Pen and Watercolor washes |
Wall Decoration
Above and to the right of the main entrance is this sculpture, or cast
work of art, depicting a lighthouse standing firm above the tempestuous
waves, surrounded by a storm-filled sky. And like the lighthouse,
this structure has weathered nearly a century of storms, economic
tempests, and changing fortunes.
Original: 9x11, Graphite, Technical Pen and Watercolor washes |
|
|
|
Brick "Nogging"
Even the brickwork displays the artist's
touch, as this section of wall attests. There is a wide variety of
texturing and masonry, wood-framed brick "nogging", and other design
elements adorning the walls of the mansion. Leaded windows,
ornamented bronze drainpipes and baseplates, carved stone roses and whorls
placed here and there at the corners of stone window frames - all suggests
that expense was not an object in the construction of this treasure.
Original: 9x11, Graphite, Technical Pen and Watercolor washes |
Pen and Ink with Watercolor: The Pencil Art of
Kirk Ramsey
Copyright © 2011 Kirk S. Ramsey
Last modified:
March 12, 2016
|