Monday 18 July 2016

Highlands House Restoration

All too often "progress" can be responsible for obliterating our history so it's really 
gratifying when old buildings are lovingly restored. This was the case with a house in Albion at The Clayfield, part of the Aveo Group of Retirement Villages.

STEP BACK IN TIME

One of the residents, Robert Haynes, decided to write a book about the history of the house to commemorate the restoration. He undertook the difficult task of researching the history of the house and its occupants.


Highlands House from an old photograph - ink and watercolour

I was commissioned to illustrate the book, recreating historical photographs of the house as it was originally. In addition portraits of some of the owners were also included. There were an interesting mix of people - a chemist; a Member of Parliament; a High Court Judge as well as a Catholic Archbishop.

The house itself underwent a number of changes in use over the years, becoming a community house for the Christian Brothers for some forty years before falling into disrepair.

Just as the building has been restored I enjoy breathing new life into old historical images, recreating them in watercolour and ink. 



James Berkely's Memorial - Nundah Historical Cemetary - ink and watercolour



                               
Hon. William Graham, MLA & MLC

                               
The original fireplace - before restoration - ink and watercolour
                                 

Sir Pope Cooper - watercolour
                        
The Lightoller's - owners for 22 years

                               
 Archbishop Sir James Duhig - watercolour


Highlands House - from an unknown artist's illustration - ink and watercolour



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