A painting of The Creaky Shed in Greenwich, London

The Creaky Shed is a local greengrocer that specialises in seasonal produce, including many unusual and intriguing varieties. Its rustic interior evokes the charm of an old allotment shop, while the front displays are impressive enough to rival those at the Chelsea Flower Show.

This original oil painting is 40cm x 40cm. Including the frame 44cm x 44cm

Painting The Creaky Shed

I have painted The Creaky Shed before. Previously I did it as a watercolour. This time I wanted to do an oil painting. So, on a late summer afternoon I set up my paints and easel and got to work. A most enjoyable time, and a local resident even brought a bottle of beer over.

I did the basics on site and used this as a lead to do a larger oil painting back in the studio.

These kinds of places aren’t the cheapest, but they offer something special. In Mediterranean countries, where food quality is held in higher regard, shops like this are far more common.

Stepping away from the typical retail parks to do part of your weekly shopping at places like The Creaky Shed is a real treat—and it helps support the local community, too.

A Bit About Greenwich

Greenwich is renowned for its naval history and is home to the Royal Observatory, where Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is calculated, along with the Prime Meridian (0° longitude). The area also features the historic Royal Naval Hospital for Sailors, designed by Sir Christopher Wren.

In 1998, the site transitioned into the Royal Naval College, now managed by the Greenwich Foundation, which also operates the National Maritime Museum.

Greenwich boasts a lively market where I enjoy grabbing some hearty pies to snack on while working.