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This painting is 25cm x 16cm, signed & mounted on acid-free card. Newsletter sent 24th-Nov-22.
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A bit about the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society
Occasionally, When I have a bit of time to myself, I enjoy taking long walks. I ensure I have no agenda, just pick a loose route and follow it with my pad, pencils and paint.
On one afternoon I found myself on a loose end in East London, So, looking at the map I decided that I would take a walk up The Limehouse Cut. This being a broad canal which ‘cuts’ north east through East London from Limehouse on the Thames to the river Lea. It was opened in 1770 and is London’s oldest canal.
I don’t know why I The Limehouse Cut; I think I just liked the name; it has a sense of adventure about it.
I left the Limehouse Basin to begin my walk. It can often take a few miles before I discover something of interest however on this occasion it was only a few minutes before
I discovered this fine London brick building between Newell Street and the canal.
It was constructed in 1920 by British and Foreign Sailors’ Society. Established a sea training school for boys. Interestingly it had a swimming pool in the basement. It may still.
The training programme was six months with plenty of strict rules for admission including being at least 5ft 1inches tall, aged between 14 1/2 and 16 years old, and able to swim 100 yards. If that wasn’t enough, you also needed a medical certificate, with a few decent character references. When I was that age, I’m not sure I’d have made all the criteria.
Once I’d finished the painting, I continued my walk and made one- or two-colour notes though my first painting took up most of my time so, I didn’t manage to get to the end of The Limehouse Cut. I shall return.
14 comments:
Like the new website Liam. One of my sons is getting me a frame as part of my Christmas present to put the painting I luckily won from you in. So it’s still safely packed up until then. I have looked at it iof course and have sent a picture of it to my children.
Keep safe and well
Love Elaine x
Ah pleased its gone to a home that appriciates it.
Liam
Limehouse Townhall was the first collective studio of my son’s founding of “Spacehijackers” (now archived in a museum near Liverpool Street) so Limehouse and it’s history is dear to my heart and interest.
You’ve captured the details so well as always and shown how nature softens buildings with time.
Many thanks Susan,
There are many creatives in the area. I lived all over London in my day though never there. I regreat that.
Liam
🙂
🙂
It brings back memories.
Good ones i hope 🙂
Hi!
Your amazing painting is actually the street/house I lived in for 28 years and my family still live there 🙂 it would be extra special to win!
Thanks
Hannah
Ah thats interesting. As my blog says, i came accross it purely by accident. Every street has its story.
Many thanks for your comments.
Liam
Once again you have painted an area of great interest to me, well done an yet another wonderful piece of work
Thanks Tony
Most appreciated.
Best wishes
Liam
From a newbie to Liam O’Farell and your artwork. I can’t remember how I even stumbled across you, but I just want to say your art is such a joy to look at, so much detail I literally get lost in it. Loved the video tour of the London art gallery too. Made me think I must take a day off and go and check it out.
Many thanks for that Emma,
Most appricated. I really enjoy my job and I do enjoy doing those videos too.
Best wishes
Liam