London in June

Plunging back into work after the Chelsea Art Society and other shows,  I returned to finish a Jubilee painting off Leicester Square.  The flags were just still up but the street had old chicken bones and broken glass where I had put my easel. I reckon that it is nearly time to put away the bunting and move on to the Olympics and other summer events (my Jubilee work will be on a separate page on my website www.louisediggle.co.uk). I started with sketching at a cricket match, by the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.  I'm still in the dark about what it's all about but the action is wonderful to sketch and pastel is ideal, particularly with the whites against the green.

Jubilee work

Selfridges, Flags, Buses, Oxford Street

 
What a fantastic couple of weeks to be a painter!  London looked, and continues to look, in party mode - lots of flags, bunting and other decorations for the Golden Jubilee.  I pastelled away in the Mall, Soho, Whitehall, Oxford/Regent streets, street parties and sketched the gun salute at the Tower of London.  I also sketched the Trooping of the Colour rehearsal last week.  The speed of the marching certainly helped me to galvanise myself in to action for Flotilla work.

Trooping of the Colour Rehearsal

Waiting for Flotilla, Blackfriars

The flotilla was extraordinary, one of the grandest sights I have seen. It was not just the view of the boats and barges; it was the crowd, the noise of the cheering, the bells and the rich variety of architecture along the Thames which provided an extraordinary backdrop.  I was fortunate enough to be at the City of London School with about 19 other painters. Many thanks to Ellis Whitcomb - it was an incredible view..
What a memorable and inspiring experience - rain and pastel are not the best of friends though.

Further work will be on my website later on this week.

 

Waiting for Flotilla - barges going upriver

Crowds waiting for Flotilla (in progress)

Crowds picknicking, St James' Park (before the bad weather!)

SHOWS
I will be showing work at the following:


Chelsea Art Society, Annual Open http://chelseaartsociety.org.uk
(Town Hall, Kings Road SW3, 21-25 June) where I am a member



With Surface ICA at Barossa, New Kings Road, www.surfaceica.com  (Jubilee show 14th June)
St Mary,  The Boltons SW10 - 2012 Art Exhibition  (14th-20 June)


For further details please see my website www.louisediggle.co.uk

Jubilee Party,  Cleaver Square

Waiting for the Procession, Mall - Jubilee

Jubileetastic II

Still working away at the Jubilee - flags and bunting still sprouting all over the place - street parties galore too! Four of my Jubilee pastels are in the window of Medici Gallery in Cork Street at the moment.
Lots of projects - gun salute this morning, Flotilla tomorrow by Tate Modern, street parties on monday and procession on tuesday.  Better stock up on some red, white and blue and fingers crossed for the weather! New work will be posted up next week.

Monday 28th May - Jubileetastic!

I've been lurking in and around the streets of the West End, looking at the extraordinary range of flags and bunting which seem to be mushrooming at the moment for the Jubilee.  I took a bus up and down Regent and Oxford Streets to get a closer look at the vibrant colours of the Union Jack plastered across the streets. It helps to think of Austin Powers!  The wonderful weather has been superb for painting.

Oxford St, Flags

Regent St, Flags and Buses

Buckingham Palace, concert preparation

Also went to the Chelsea Flower Show on Saturday and was impressed by the plant sale at the end of the last day.  People staggered to Sloane Square station laden down with huge plants and flowers. With the late afternoon light behind them and the mass of people and plants, it had a Palm Sunday feel.

Chelsea Flower Show, Route to Sloane Square after plant sale

Off to Horse Guards tomorrow; the Changing of the Guard has been a great exercise in getting the colour 
down as quickly as possible. Only hope the weather continues!

Open Studio at Wimbledon

May 10-13:  Open Studio Show at Wimbledon Art Studios, 402 Blue Building, London, SW17 0BB (www.wimbledonartstudios.co.uk)

Getting myself prepared for the Spring/Summer show and showing my new collection of work - Spring in London and Nice. Contrary to this month's soggy weather, it's been quite sunny in London over march and april.  I've thrown myself into that glorious soft light and colour.  Blossom, deckchairs, commuters and tourists.  This is also in preparation for Jubilee work which is getting underway.  Nice was very colourful, loud and bright and a good contrast to London (after the odd gust and shower!) Great sight of figures dissolving into the light of the med at the top of the chateau.

Spring flowers and light, Buckingham Palace

Tourists and Almond Blossom, St James' Park

 Panorama, Chateau, Nice

My studio show is from tomorrow, 10-13 May, most of the studios are open.  I'm rather excited about designing a QR code, with my website, for my handouts.

St James' Park

21 February - Painting spring light in St James' park (part of project of iconic London).  Sunday free parking a great bonus for my Artmobile.  Became so absorbed did not have enough time to move from my prime position by the traffic lights in the middle of the Mall.  The guard came right past.

14th February

 From Hungerford Bridge (in progress)

 Chinese New Year, Trafalgar Square (in progress)

 Lanterns, Lisle St (in progress)

Finally grappling with new technology and worked out how to select and crop.  Chores to do on days when the light's not great to paint.  The snow has been spectacular but short lived. Thermal socks are a top tip!