After training as a Cartographic Draftsman within the mining industry, I worked as a property illustrator for real estate firms in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne for 23 years from 1983. I initially photographed houses with a Polaroid camera and made a 'thumbnail' sketch while there. The photos were used to scale off a sketch in pencil and then that sketch was overlaid with drafting film and the 'pen and ink' completed. The pens I used were the Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens. The ink was also made by Rotring (German).The film was ‘Rapidraw’, polyester drafting film, double matte. It takes a very fine line and doesn’t bleed. As well as house sketches, there were often floor plans and site plans ordered. Aerial sketches were ordered when the property needed an overall view. (Margaret Picken, 2020)This drawing is one of a series created by Margaret Picken for a range of real estate agents in Melbourne between c.1983 and c.2005. Each work is signed and dated by the artist.Gift of Margaret Picken, 2020Extant (2020) mixed cream brick house built in 1940 in the Old English style featuring a steep tiled roof. A dormer window was added at the front in 1957. Additions and alterations in 2000 included windows altered on the facade. The pen and ink architectural drawing on drafting film of 77 Charles Street, Kew by was completed in 1992 by Margaret Picken, and predates the alterations to the front windows.77 CHARLES ST., KEW / MARGARET PICKEN ~92 / WOODARDS ~ KEWartist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 77 charles street -- kew (vic.)

The site of the former Kew Congregational Church was the earliest 'built' place of religion in Kew. An earlier building by Charles Vickers was replaced by a new brick church designed by Albert Purchas. Following the creation of the Uniting Church, the church at 30 Walpole Street was declared redundant and demolished to make way for the Bodalla Nursing Home (itself later demolished).Colour print positive of the former Congregational Church in Walpole Street, Kew. The front of the polychrome brick building showing the small steeple and the front entrance."Oldest church in Kew. Victoria. Taken Oct '77. Formerly Congregational Church"churches -- kew (vic), congregational churches, walpole street -- kew (vic), albert purchas