Vintage High Tea

Lovely afternoon spent with my sister having a vintage High Tea as a late birthday treat.

Greenwich Peninsula - Ravensbourne and the Thames River Path

I visited Ravensbourne University yesterday with my daughter who had been invited for an interview and to show her art portfolio. Located on the Greenwich Peninsula right next to the O2 arena it is a beautiful building.

A view looking into the building through one of the many windows.

A view looking out of one of the windows, from the cafe located on the ground floor, towards the O2 arena.

I had a stroll along the Thames river path which is just behind the uni whilst she was being interviewed, This photo is taken just below the cable car which takes you to the north side of the river. Another thing on my to do list!

So much has changed along the river front over the past decades but there are still glimpses of the past which I just love.

Heartbreak Hotel on the Jetty. From what I can gather online this is now used as an arts venue. Unfortunately there was no access to the jetty itself.

Lots of new properties being built on both banks of the river. Probably way beyond the affordability of most Londoners though.

My daughter's interview went very well so we popped into the O2 afterwards for coffee & a celebratory lunch. Lots of hard work but first interview done & dusted. So very proud of her.

I did manage to sneak onto the foreshore to satisfy my passion for collecting. It also helped to take my mind off the interview for a little while (that's my excuse anyway). I hope there are other people out there who get just as excited (and I mean EXCITED) as me about river/beach combing? I just love holding pieces of glass & shards sherds of pottery in my hands that have been tumbled smooth by the water and imagining the history behind each piece. These pieces shall be added to my existing pieces along with my driftwood and all of my other fascinating finds......

 

I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Cacti Monoprint

I am getting very inspired by my print course. I've been drawing more & getting hooked on monoprints as they are so relaxing & satisfying to do.

This is one of my latest cacti sketches/pen drawings  which I have turned into two separate monoprints.

The first print always takes up more ink which can leave some very interesting textured marks on the paper. I heard this described as background noise this week.

The second print is usually cleaner (below).

I always photograph the inked glass before I wash it clean. The overlapping images create an almost 3D effect & I love the way the ink roller leaves interesting lines on the surface.

I've been practising other forms of monoprinting too as well as drypoint printing which I'll share with you soon.

 Finished print framed & ready for hanging (not quite sure where yet though).