I have a long history with this little house, which is located not far from where I live and in an area where I often walk. I’ve always liked the look of it.
Way back when I first started doing art, I made house portraits on a commission basis. These were all hand-appliqued and quilted by hand, not too large, maybe in the range of 24″ x 24″. I used a photo of the house to be depicted, made a scale drawing, and worked from that to create the simplified version of the house.
I made some samples to have on hand for people to see at the art fairs where I exhibited, and for the store through which I also sold them to display. This house served as the model for a very early hanging made during this phase of this time in my art life, probably about 1994 or so.
Here is the simple portrait hanging I made from a photo similar to the one I just showed you – the house has not changed in all those years at all, that I can see.
As time went on, I got more skilled and able to depict more detail in fabric, and then I began to sew them on the machine, and then I taught classes in the process and even wrote out a how-to manual that I sold…and then I had had enough of house portrait work and devoted myself to other scenes and eventually other mediums. I don’t know what happened to this particular hanging – maybe I gave it away for a raffle or something like that.
Anyway, in summer 2021, I was walking by this little house and took the photo, for old times’ sake. And then I drew the house in my sketchbook. A really pleasant experience, because it made me remember the very beginnings of my art career, so long ago.
I drew this picture in pen and it’s in my 8″ x 8″ sketchbook, from August 2021.
Claudia McGill and Her Art World 
Drawing does have so many benefits. Your love of drawing shows in your relax style.
Thank you. I find drawing to be a peaceful activity.
Me 2
Thank you for sharing this. I will write you later to explain more.
Very appealing house, and the drawing really captures that. (K)
I’ve always liked it and it has changed very little over the years.
The house is charming and your portrait of it is delightful.
Thank you. This little house has certainly captured my imagination all right.
What a lovely story. And it is an enchanting house
Thank you. I wonder if I’ll try its portrait in some other medium some day?
I think you should!
Wonderful history you have with the house and I like the fabric piece and your amazing sketch. It makes me think of little houses I would see when I lived in Upstate NY. You go by the same house everyday (like I did walking back to my rental when I was in nursing school) and you wonder what goes on inside there.
Yes, that is it, I have walked by this house for decades and it has always looked the same, pretty much. I amuse myself by thinking how I would fix it up inside and so on, if it belonged to me.