Bladerunner City

This turned out a lot more apocalyptic than I was planning. The view is the city of London from the south bank near Tower Bridge. I was there to visit the Sherd, also a very futuristic experience.

The skyscrapers are all named after household gadgets; left to right The Walkytalky, the Cheesegrater and the Gherkin. These are not their official names of course...

When we first moved to London we stayed near the Gherkin (or Swiss Re building). Actually swiss re sounds like a kind of cheese so that is no better really. It was a very surreal experience as it was right opposite the living room window like a giant spaceship.

There is a lot of wet on wet ink here and it is even more monochrome. Actually the view is very attractive. Many cranes as London is being endlessly demolished and rebuilt in an urban chaos which is quite exciting.

Embankment Magnolia

I love the exotic gardens along the Embankment by the Thames where I saw this giant magnolia. Appropriately we were on our way back from the Perfume exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery.

This is an effort in ink wash only, no pen, no outlines, no drawing. I like the colours.

Apples of Acton

Apples from an aged tree drying in Leen's garage in Acton. They are wonderfully huge and uneven. We had fun shaking them from the tree with a hoe on a pole and trying to dodge as they crashed down. Also, does anyone have any recipes for cooking apples, especially savoury recipes?

Art wise I am still obsessed by Japanese art, trying to use inks in increasingly bold and simple ways. I concentrated on the shadows and used a lot of wet on wet for the chaotic look I love. I really love this which actually turned out how I imagined, a rare moment in art.

Beautiful Balenciaga

Today I went to the Balenciaga exhibition at the V&A. Really loved it as I am a huge fan of 1950s couture. Pleasingly many of the dresses were in curvy sizes and featured gorgeous fabrics and details. I felt quite inspired for my sewing.

Also a top gallery of very conceptual dresses which were really fun. 

I liked the back of this dress. The drawing is ink and inspired by the famous fashion illustrator Rene Gruau. Quite pleased with this, might try some more fashion pictures.