My current mood resembles “Electric Blue”

“My current mood resembles electric blue” – PM Dawn

And it’s true – I spent the day on London and had a nice time walking around, taking in exhibitions and people watching but unknown to me I came away at the end of the day feeling empty and down.

I should have been visiting Varnishing Day at the Royal Academy but like lots of other people I was not successful in entering this years Summer Exhibition and went into town to collect my painting.

I shouldn’t feel down as there was an extremely high number of entries this year (over 11,000 apparently). Some of the paintings that were leaving the gallery looked fantastic – one can only hope the calibre of the works that got through really were exceptional.

I was a little narked that the RA did not wrap my painting – I was expected to turn up with something to protect it but no one told me this. When I asked for some bubble wrap etc they looked at me as if I had a disease! I am sure the amount of money the RA rake in with entries, attendance and sales at the exhibition they could stretch to a bit of bubble wrap!

I did however have an interesting day away from the RA.

I stopped by the new Saatchi Gallery in Duke of Yorks Square just off Sloane Square. It’s an eclectic mix of work but very interesting.

I did wonder why the gallery smelt of oil and when I visited the lower ground gallery I found out – the whole exhibit is a floor of crude oil – it made for a very interesting piece which perfectly reflected the minimal interior of the gallery.

Another noticeable exhibit was a room full of speakers which emitted various noises – this at points could be heard throughout the gallery.

I really didn’t know what to expect but ended up really enjoying the visit. The Joan Crawford alphabet was a particular favourite!

I had a wander around Sloane Square (snapping lots of Elephants on display in the area), before heading over to Hyde Park. The rose garden was looking (and smelling lovely) and I noticed the abundance of colour and life in the park and along the Serpentine – I love summer. Even London is in full bloom.

I walked the mile to the Serpentine Gallery with the intention of seeing the latest exhibit and having lunch in this years pavilion cafe. Sadly the pavilion is still being built and the exhibition (Nairy Baghramian
and Phyllida Barlow) was terrible. In fact I think I spent all of ten minutes in there – I am glad I didn’t pay to get in!

Following a long walk back through Hyde Park I made my way over to Piccadilly where I stopped for lunch (by now ravenous) and then to the RA to collect my painting.

Today has given me lots of opportunity to try out my PEN and I have to say I am even more impressed. It coped well in all lighting conditions, the battery life is still going (three days and about 600 photos + videos) after charging and I just love the ease of use and ultimately the clarity of the shots.

So not a bad day – tainted by the RA, but I will try again next year. I just need to buy some canvas and get painting.

I wanted to leave you with the really interesting video – it’s of an installation in the Saatchi gallery. Sadly WordPress does not allow me to embed my Vimeo video so you have to make do with crappy You Tube I am afraid.

Anyway, this is a set of clocks which all work in unison to show the time – I have titled the video “A minute at the Saatchi gallery” – bare with it as the time change is mesmerising: