On this day I visited West London. I got off Warwick Avenue tube station. It's probably one of London's quietest stations and I specifically went to draw the community of Little Venice next to the Regents Canal.
Two communities in Maida Vale by the Regents Canal
Really, when I say ‘community’, I mean two communities. The first one is down on the Regents Canal which is a curious piece of rural England that seems to plough through the metropolis which is London.
Although there is tourism, most of the boats and barges are fully residential and don't really go very far. That said, if you're feeling a bit adventurous, you can motor away and eventually find yourself in Leicester or Birmingham.
The second community is the more conventional bricks and mortar community, and it is a very grand one.
I imagine here this is a bit more akin to London as we know it and is not quite as sedate as it is on the canal. Not to mention a bit noisier too.
Why paint here?
It’s difference in these communities that makes Maida Vale so interesting. So, I try and find a spot where I can catch both within a single image. And the gods of art must be on my side because not only is it not raining. I found exactly what I wanted.
I quickly settled in to do one of my small drawings, which I was already planning to do as a large painting later on. So I keep it simple for the moment.
As I worked, I'm wondered to myself, do the canal people mix with the house people? I like to think they do.
I wonder if they invite each other to parties and get out on the street on New Year’s Eve? Whatever the situation, it seems like a fascinating place to live.
There always seems to be something going on. Eventually I was happy with the basics of the drawing and had something ready for a larger painting back in the studio.
I really enjoyed my afternoon in Maida Vale. I've painted here quite a few times. Now, and it's always well worth a visit.
I'll return. That's it for today. Many thanks for watching the video.
13 окт 2024
