If you have ever spent an afternoon along the harbours and marinas of Vancouver, you have probably appreciated the beautiful ships, sails and scenery. Often situated on the banks of the marinas is Tapestry Resident Bill Rhone, whose pen and paper once conceptualized some of Vancouver’s iconic buildings as an architect, is now capturing the beauty of Vancouver’s waterfronts.

Bill sets himself up with his three-legged stool, trusty iPad and digital pen and can immediately set up a mobile studio wherever he goes. It does not take long for him to start sketching and shading and recreating the scene in front of him.

Curious onlookers often ask him how long he has been sketching. Bill happily replies that he has been putting pen to paper for over 70 years. Bill Rhone has been an architect his whole life, and holds a Master of Arts in  Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. After graduation, Bill served in the army as a Junior Officer where his pen and paper served him well. We continued to carry them with him as he enjoyed sketching the sawmills, plants and trucks during his travels. All the while capturing the highlights of the beautiful scenery around him.

Today Bill takes in the beautiful surroundings of Vancouver. Being centrally located at Tapestry at Wesbrook Village Bill can set himself up practically anywhere and start to capture the scene. “The most important part is I have a lot of fun doing it” says Bill. “When you are out in Vancouver, you see snippets of pictures all over.” Bill continues to capture these scenes and share them with the Vancouver community who have identified with his artwork.

Since moving to Tapestry at Wesbrook Village Bill has been able to independently pursue his passion and share it with others in a meaningful way in our communities. Bill recently featured some of his sketches at the Wesbrook COVID Creations Gallery. A typical day for Bill involves a gym session with our Kinesiologists, followed by an opportunity to do some sketching and exploring Vancouver.

Although Bill’s artwork usually does draw a crowd, much of the exposure his art has received has come on the very docks and wharfs he enjoys sketching. Bill fondly remembers sketching a picture of a fisherman’s boat in exchange for a fish in Steveston, and  a happenstance opportunity at Qualicum Beach provided him an opportunity to teach pen and ink drawing classes at the Qualicum Beach art gallery for several years.

Today, Bill’s artwork is still creating waves throughout the community. While Bill was recently capturing the scenery at Kitsilano Beach, a marina he likes to frequent, he had the opportunity to meet the Museum Curator of the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Impressed by his collection of pieces that beautifully captured the ships of Vancouver, Bill has collaborated with the Vancouver Maritime Museum for the “Mooring Lines – Sketches By Bill Rhone” gallery.

As stated on the Vancouver Maritime Museum website “Mooring Lines presents Bill’s drawings of Heritage Harbour at the Vancouver Maritime Museum, False Creek Harbour and Steveston. Each piece has a unique character created by a combination of the vessels moored, the individuals who frequent the docks and even the way the local weather affects the light. In his sketches, Bill Rhone aims to capture these characteristics as he experiences them.”

From November 19, 2020 to February 28, 2021, Bill will be exhibiting his work. Also, on December 21, 2020, join Bill and Wharfinger Bruce Macdonald for a live virtual sketching session featuring the NorthStar of Herschel Island. As Bill sketches and discusses his process, Bruce will provide history on the ship as the current Captain of the NorthStar. To learn more about the event and to join in Click Here.