Standing room only

.

Standing room only

too polite to turf sleeping

girl out of my seat.

.

by Scooj

This is no way to spend a Sunday night

.

On the train again

destination Vauxhall and

some boxy hotel. 

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by Scooj

473. Hawley Street (1), Camden

Continuing for a little while with my Camden adventure, just around the corner, from the Fanakapan flies was this amazing rhinoceros by Osch. Both Osch and Fanakapan are unbelievably prolific. Hardly a week goes by without one or both of them creating something new.

Osch, Hawley Street, Camden, September 2016
Osch, Hawley Street, Camden, September 2016

In this piece, Osch uses his unfurling ribbon style to create the illusion of a solid creature, which is clever as painting itself could be considered to be an illusion. Layers. The rhino is superb, and reminds us (it’s function) about the plight of these creatures in the wild.

Osch, Hawley Street, Camden, September 2016
Osch, Hawley Street, Camden, September 2016

Rounding off the picture, and something that is a part of photographing street art, is the context of the piece, and in this particular piece there are some discarded flower pots that somehow add to the whole scene. A street art photographer’s dilemma is always to balance the perfect clean image, with the actual image in its context. I, like others, try to get both…but parked cars are a real menace!

472. Hawley Mews (1), Camden

  1. These pictures were taken when I had a couple of hours to kill in London after work recently, and I am really pleased with the ground I managed to cover in Camden. Although my sister went to school nearby, and I often drove through the area in my younger days, I haven’t been back for years.
Fanakapan, Hawley Mews, Camden, September 2016
Fanakapan, Hawley Mews, Camden, September 2016

I knew that the area is a favourite for street artists and graffiti artists, but I had no idea about the layout of the streets or what could be found where, so I just started to wander – my favourite thing.

Fanakapan, Hawley Mews, Camden, September 2016
Fanakapan, Hawley Mews, Camden, September 2016

I eventually happened upon this incredible mews, running parallel with one of the busier streets, but hidden away (note – always seek out alley ways and back streets). The reward for my explorations was this magnificent Fanakapan mural of flies (of course the helium balloon type).

Fanakapan, Hawley Mews, Camden, September 2016
Fanakapan, Hawley Mews, Camden, September 2016

This work is exceptional, not only the flies, but the perspective on the walls and shadows cast. A masterpiece and a privilege to find it and photograph it. There were loads of other pieces in this mews and I will in time post about them too.

Fanakapan, Hawley Mews, Camden, September 2016
Fanakapan, Hawley Mews, Camden, September 2016

St John’s Gardens

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Dappled sunlight gives 

Little warmth and trees little

Shelter from cold winds. 

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by Scooj

Football train

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General hubbub 

snippets of conversation

and clickity clacks. 

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by Scooj

449. Whitby Street, Shoreditch, London (2)

Sometimes, when a piece is so good, it is probably better not to say too much about it. This magnificent work is by AKA Jimmy C and immediately adjacent to another of his fine pieces that I posted about on August 18 this year.

AKA Jimmy C, Whitby Street, London, August 2016
AKA Jimmy C, Whitby Street, London, August 2016

I particularly like the photograph that shows all the air conditioning pipes on the wall. Placement is a major skill with street art and this is perfectly placed. Massive respect to AKA Jimmy C. This is so good.

AKA Jimmy C, Whitby Street, London, August 2016
AKA Jimmy C, Whitby Street, London, August 2016

448. Brick Lane (2)

In a small side street off Brick lane, there is a fairly squalid car park…the perfect site for some great street art and graffiti art. At this site there were some wonderful pieces which I will get round to posting some time. My eye was caught, however, just as I was leaving the side street by this fabulous D7606 pasteup.

D7606, Brick Lane, London, August 2016
D7606, Brick Lane, London, August 2016

I like the bright colours he uses, the icons he adopts (in this case the telephone itself and David Bowie) and his recognisable style. Although a small piece, this is really fun art.

447. Brick Lane (1)

It is not so long ago that I hadn’t come across Osch. Now it seems he is popping up in my blog rather regularly. This is another in his series of orange/yellow circles with a scene going on inside. This particular piece incorporates another of his trademark styles, which is to have an unfurling ribbon effect.

Osch, Brick Lane, London, August 2016
Osch, Brick Lane, London, August 2016

I like this piece for several reasons, but particularly for its location and subject that reflect the adjacent tourist shop.

Osch, Brick Lane, London, August 2016
Osch, Brick Lane, London, August 2016

Cousins

I thought I’d try something a bit different, inspired by some lovely poetry I read here. This is the first poem I have written since school (other than Haiku). Be gentle.

 

Cousins

 

So different were we,

I from London and you from Leeds.

I remember one time

when we went out walking,

you pointed up to the sky and cried

‘eh up, there’s kite’

I didn’t know what you had said at first.

We are not so different now

you and I,

our age has smoothed out our differences

our age has brought us closer

it is our age that now defines us.

 

by Scooj