London 2012

 

I've been living in London now for about 9 months and I've just uploaded (works section) 6 new paintings I've been working on since I set up my studio here about 7 months ago.

The painting above is called 'East End Girl' - she is very much a Londoner. I live in the East End and travel most days on public transport, I observe, take photo's, then head back to my studio and draw images of what is still fresh in my mind. Many things have changed in London since I last lived here and although I've been back many times since, living here gives you a different perspective. She had a weary expression, but I couldn't tell if she was unhappy living here or just another commuter hiding amongst the 10 million people who live in this city. The thing that hits you the most living here is the array of languages you hear every day. I try and guess the regions of the world they come from; I'm getting better at that. It can often sound as if people are having a hell of an argument, but they are just conversing in their first language. I'm a New Zealander but must pass for a local, going by the number of times people ask me for directions.

In the 70's a common sight was a white middle-class man in a pinstripe suit and a bowler hat, strolling along swinging an umbrella with a cane handle - not a common sight today. Today this is without doubt the most cosmopolitan city on the planet - some say that will be its downfall, I think that will be its saviour.