The New River Path: a tranquil haven in the middle of Islington

Six IAS members and their guests decided that it was going to be outdoors sketching weather despite all appearances to the contrary, and met up at the New River Path in Islington. Fortunately the weather was kind to us and we were rewarded with excellent reflections in the water from the greenery surrounding the New River, a turtle and ducks' nests on straw bales watched closely by a frustrated fox cub who didn't want to get his feet wet.

There was bosky planting, Georgian cottages and of course the Marquess Tavern, where we could sit outside for coffee and lunch. We finally located the bird bath shown in the photo montage above dedicated to two members of the Islington Art Circle, the forerunner of IAS. So we were keeping up a great tradition of Islington artists!

The next outing will be to Newington Green, with its Dissenting history and links to Mary Wollstonecraft. The date will be posted on the blog shortly.

Our midsummer sketching outing is on Monday 27 June

Our next outing is to the New River Walk in Islington. Meet outside the Marquess Tavern, 32 Canonbury Street N1 2TB on Monday 27 June at 11am. There are tables outside. 

The Marquess is an ideal starting place for the New River as it is centrally placed. In the summer the New River Walk should be wonderfully bosky with some rather large ducklings. More information on the New River walk can be found on Section 6 of the Thames Water booklet. We are meeting in Section 6.

You can get to the New River (or rather our meeting place, the Marquess Tavern) from Highbury and Islington Station, from Essex Road or Upper Street buses, or Essex Road Station. The 271 bus is particularly helpful as it goes along Archway Road from Highgate with a stop in Canonbury Road, a very short walk away from the Marquess.

Bring sketching stools as seating is limited. The Marquess does serve food but can be expensive as it is a gastro pub, though it does do drinks, coffee and toilets and is still a 'local'. There are other options a short walk away, but bringing sandwiches could be useful. The Marquess opens at 12 noon. Arrive prepared.

An anecdote from Virginia Jackson

"The New River Walk is a most appropriate venue for a sketching outing for members of the Islington Art Society. On 1 June 2003 members attended the installation of the Bunting memorial birdbath placed by the river's edge beside a weeping willow. The memorial carved by John Nash was inscribed "In memory of George and Debbie Bunting, Islington Art Circle 1946-2000". Apparently when the weather changed members retired to The Marquis Tavern to reminisce. There is a black and white photograph taken by Graham Thomas of the memorial on the front of the IAS July 2003 newsletter edited by Lucy Rickards but the area was considerably more overgrown when I last saw it and that was well over a decade ago."

Spring time in a secret garden

On a sunny morning in late May 11 artists met up in Culpeper Community Garden to spend time sketching. This proved a very popular outing for IAS members and their guests. Culpeper Community Garden is near the Angel and Chapel Market, so this is a very easy location to get to and the weather was ideal.

The Garden is lovingly maintained by volunteers and was looking lovely and lush in contrast to the nearby densely urban landscape of inner London. There is a good variety of plants, some vegetables and a lawn where workers from nearby offices were eating their lunchtime sandwiches. We hope to go back later in the year  to capture  a different season in the Gardens. A big thank you to Culpeper.

Our next outing is on Tuesday 24 May at Culpeper Community Garden

Our next sketching outing is on Tuesday 24 May to the Culpeper Community Garden. They will be expecting us from 10:30am but of course we are free to arrive later if we want. Please bring sketching stools as there is very limited seating outside. This is a charming spot close to the Angel tube, Upper Street and Essex Road buses and of course Chapel Market. Either bring sandwiches to eat in the garden or there are plenty of cafés nearby. Mandy, one of the volunteers will be expecting us and there will be people working in the garden.

The address is: Culpeper Community Garden, 1 Cloudesley Road, Islington
London, N1 0EG.

April Art in the Park outing

In April six Islington Art Society members and their guests met at the Museum of London Docklands. There is a fascinating view outside the museum of the West India Quay, various boats and barges, old cranes, tower blocks and the Docklands Light Railway. Several of us worked outside through the morning which turned chilly and became a bit of an endurance test.

Inside the museum there are examples of boats, old dockyard items and a remodelling of the old Sailor Town with full Dickensian atmosphere. We had good fun sketching.

This location is probably better in warm weather as there are many artistic possibilities outside. The museum is free, has a café and facilities. There are more choices for lunch beyond the museum.

The next sketching date is Monday 18 April

April's Art in the Park outing is to the Museum of London Docklands on Monday 18 April. We meet at 11am, but late comers are very welcome. The Museum is best reached by public transport either from West India Quay on the DLR or Canary Wharf on the Jubilee Line. The 277 bus also goes to Canary Wharf from Highbury or Dalston. There are plenty of sketching opportunities, both inside and out and there is a café on the ground floor. Entry to the Museum is free.

Revisiting Alexandra Palace

On a beautiful if cold March day, ten IAS artists and guests went to Alexandra Palace. The view over London from the terrace was stunning as was the Palm Court inside the building, where a café/bar provided us with sustenance. There were surprisingly few people around so we had a choice of seats and subjects and could work undisturbed.

This proved a popular venue, though most people stayed inside because of the cold. We will organise a repeat visit later in the year when the weather warms up to benefit from the terrace and the park. 

The next outing will be to Docklands in April, the date to be confirmed.