'Arts in the Park'

Sketches from the Family Fun Day in Home Park, Sydenham today.

Sydenham Artists Trail 2013 - Numbers 18, 21 and 33

Some sketches from the first day - lots more to come!

Number 33

The Brockley Potters are showing a large variety of work, lots for sale at reasonable prices. 

Open Sunday 30 June ONLY.

Number 21

Family & friends – painting, photography and whilst I was there, a felt making workshop run by Carole. 

Open Saturday 6 July and Saturday 13 July.

Number 18

Worth the trip down some back alleys to see the interesting studio of 

Alain Speed who is showing sculpture and life drawings.

Open Sunday 30 June, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July.

All the information for the Sydenham Artists Trial can be found at http://www.sydenhamartsfestival.co.uk/2013/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SAF13_ArtsTrail_web.pdf

getting ready for Storytime

The Kirkdale Bookshop kicks off the Sydenham Arts Festival tomorrow hosting a special ‘Storytime’ for the under 4’s.  Described as ’probably the oldest independent bookshop in South East London’, it has been trading for over 47 years.

You can find out more about them at http://www.kirkdalebookshop.com/home

Kirkdale Bookshop

272 Kirkdale

Sydenham

London SE26 4RS

(urban sketch)

Sydenham Community Library

Gypsy Hill Tavern

The Gypsy Hill Tavern will be holding a Traditional Irish Folk Music evening as one of the many events in this year’s Crystal Palace Overground Festival on Thursday 27^th June. 

The festival runs from 27^th – 30^th June and you can see a full list of events on their website  at http://crystalpalacefestival.org/

Other events include ‘Comedy at the Café’ at the Brown and Green Café at Crystal Palace Station and a big music event in Westow Park.

The scene last year in Westow Park. 

the vine at Alexandra Nurseries

On Saturday 13^th and Sunday 14^th July, artist Tony Tidy will be the Artist in Residence at Alexandra Nurseries as part of this year’s Sydenham Arts Festival.  For more details of the festival, go to http://www.sydenhamartsfestival.co.uk/

Alexandra Nurseries

Estate House

56B Parish Lane

Penge

SE20 7LJ

strawberry study

gooseberries

Crystal Palace goes upmarket!

Despite the overcast weather, there was a lovely atmosphere at the Crystal Palace Food Market today.  Billed as ‘locally sourced, locally sold’ there were a variety of stalls selling fruit & vegetables, meat, cheese, cakes and a host of takeaway tasties.

Crystal Palace Food Market is on every Saturday 10am - 3pm at Haynes Lane, London, SE19 3AP and you can find out more at  http://www.crystalpalacefoodmarket.co.uk/

blobby clouds on the longest day

Rose

skyline

(urban sketch)

concrete jungle

Tangled

more sky

evening clouds

Betts Park

50 shades of grey

mint

peony flower

section of Somerset House

Coats, cardigans and Krishna

Coats, cardigans and even hoodies were the order of the day for many people celebrating the Rathayatra Festival in Trafalgar Square, London today.  Brightly coloured clothes were partially hidden as people kept warm in a less than flaming June day.

Paved Paradise?

The skateboarding area known as the ‘undercroft’ on the Southbank in London is under threat of closure.  There is currently a plan to turn the area into shops as part of a redevelopment scheme.  The area has been home to skateboarders, BMX riders and graffiti artists for the last 40 years.

You can find out more information about their campaign to keep the site open at http://www.longlivesouthbank.com/

Willow Wigwam

As part of Open Squares Weekend, Winsford Gardens in Penge will be having an Open Day on Saturday 8^th June 11-4pm.  The gardens are the venue for ‘Penge Green Gym’ which runs every Wednesday 11 -2 pm and is described as “a free workout and gardening experience”. 

 I drew the willow wigwam in the children’s area.

If you would like to find out more, go to http://www.pengegreengym.org.uk/

(urban sketch)

work in progress

Today a photograph of a watercolour I’m working on, using stretched paper on a board.  I took photographs in Little Venice in London to work from as reference.  It’s going slowly, a bit like the boat in the picture and is a challenge after doing lots of location drawing. 

Someone who does lovely paintings of water is Priscilla Watkins (no relation) and you can see her work at http://priscillawatkinsart.co.uk/Gallery_1.html

Caffe Casbah condiments

Lurking amongst the beautiful earthenware bowls, the British café essentials – ketchup, HP sauce and don’t forget the Sarsons.

Caffe Casbah

140 High Street

Penge

London SE20 7EU

hedge

From little acorns...

In a large pot, amongst the strawberry plants, something else is growing.  An acorn found on a walk, is now starting to sprout into an oak tree.  

the start of the strawberries

London Palladium

(urban sketch)