Last week I had one of my fairly regular mooches around London, which invariably always involves visiting the Soho record shops and pubs.
On this occasion, I decided to venture north a bit and walk up through Fitzovia to visit the B.T. Tower, or as I still call it, the Post Office Tower.
When I first moved to London, I lived only a short 10 minute walk from it, but throughout my life, its presence on the skyline of London fascinated me. I think, seeing it on television as a youngster in Cornwall gave it a mystique of London and ultimately drew me to move there when I turned 20.
Having visited its base and looked up at it, I decided I would paint a canvas in its honour. As always, the influence of Jazz and Ivy League style clothes came to mind, and I decided to paint in a modernistic style that compliments my obsession with mid-century style.
Painting in a more minimalist manner is something I have to really reign myself in with, as my natural urge is to paint all the detail. But, by using a very limited colour palette, and thick brushes, I think I’ve managed to keep the essence of the building, without painting every window and aerial.
The finished painting will soon be varnished to elevate the colour, and, I find, gives the painting a feel of an authentic mid-century piece, and would look great in a simple mahogany deep mounted frame.
