Tapping into the spirit of Art

I love the Courtauld Gallery, set in one corner of the neo-classical glamour that is Somerset House, and boasting some fine views of the Thames on its uppermost floors. The latter location, part of the Courtauld Institute of Art, is a good spot for the interesting and absorbing shows it stages - the latest being Georgiana Houghton: Spirit Drawings. Earlier in the month, I caught this summer showcase of a most unusual, little-known Victorian artist (1814-1884) whose work is mainly to be found in Melbourne, Australia, at The Victorian Spiritualists' Union. Perhaps the Aussies were onto something... because her work was well before its time.
This collection of abstract watercolours, not seen in the UK for more than a century, capture a kind of spiritual energy (Ms Houghton was also a spiritual medium and this area of interest clearly informed her artistic endeavours) with their magical and heavenly shapes and forms. A truly memorable and other-worldly show.
For ease, I'm wearing a simple linen shift (made in Italy, purchased in Crystal Palace) and my comfortable Supergas, excellent for walk-abouts and those cobbles in the Somerset House courtyard. For essential colour, under changeable September skies, I added a dash of orange with my Parosh top, and lots of ethnic beads and bag. The sunnies are by Moschino. The location are the environs of Somerset House, now a mecca for the creative arts, and with its own fine spirit of place.

'Under leaves so green a happy blossom'

... plucked from 'The Blossom' by visionary poet, William Blake. Fine weather to be outdoors. Still snug in the Joseph tweed crombie-style coat, last seen at Somerset House, in 'Heed the tweed', but this time mixed in with some animals, not to be found running around a London park! The python-print cotton skinnies are by Ralph Lauren, the snake-skin ankle-boots from Pura López, and the vintage stingray bag was a star-purchase from Brockley store, Paraphernalia. Gucci sunnies are worn in the hope of deflecting a little sunlight. 
P.S. The other animals featured (playful dog and a brace of pigeons) are alive and well - and living in south London somewhere...

Fernandez & Wells

After viewing a small, but perfect, exhibition: Pandemonium, celebrating the unique life and work of Derek Jarman (in the Inigo Rooms of Somerset House), I made a pit-stop at fabulous Fernandez & Wells for a citron pressé.The free exhibition runs until 9 March.

Heed the tweed

 

... from Somerset House, a major arts and cultural centre with riverside views. Nothing like a good stroll across the cobblestones of Fountain Court, after all, these boots (by Ras) are, surprisingly, made for walking. Even though it's almost springtime, the weather still requires lots of layers, starting with a pair of red leather skinnies, you may have seen in 'Double leather' and 'Artists' Open House'. I'm not one for DoT (Dress-over-Trousers), but here I'm wearing a checked one by Betty Jackson, recently worn in 'Let's all be Friends!'. Yet more layers with a Nicole Farhi cardigan, and a Joseph tweed crombie-style coat. Gucci sunnies and a charming tweed bag always brighten my day!