I've really begun to notice how many smoke plumes rise from the city during these cold crisp spells of clean light. It was just turning dusk and the Mersey in the distance reminded me of a time past, when smoke filled chimneys filled the air and snow covered the roofs.
I went back to the gardens behind the cathedral today. I was at the studios working just down the road, besides I can't resist that gothic wintery quiet, very Charles Dickens and Christmas Carol.
SOLD
24cm x 20cm oil on canvas, £90
Another studio painting from the still lfe with a twist set. This took me a lot longer than I expected, so 5 hrs later.
It was the last of the days sun was sinking and it lit up the top half of the cathedral yesterday. I managed to get a quick sketch done and take some photos to do a painting. I spent some time wandering around the gardens looking at the gothic building and all the old memorials and even older trees, only the traffic betrayed the fact that I hadn’t slipped through to the 1800’s.
Located at the rear of the Anglican Cathedral, it occupies ten acres of ground which were once the final resting place of nearly 58,000 souls.
From an American sea captain, stabbed to death, to children who died within hours of their birth. From a midget artist who painted England's nobility, to a simple serving girl. They all found their way into this quiet, final resting place, in Liverpool.
For more of the same go to http://www.stjamescemetery.co.uk/
First thing on a cold crisp morning and Cain’s Brewery was belching backlit smoke like a dark satanic mill. From the 3rd floor of the studio opposite the brewery I could see plumes of smoke all over the city and across the river on the Wirral. The city was coming to life as the night turned to day.
I went in search of Oglet and followed Brunswick Street to the footpath that led to the Mersey shore. Talk about follow the path less travelled, the place was empty except for a few startled rabbits and the curlews that lifted from the bank in panic at my approach. Here on a small hill was the graveyard of boats, propellers and engines. I would love to have found this place when I was a kid, hours of fun. No doubt it will soon come to the attention of someone in a suit who will order it to be cleared up or fenced off as dangerous.
