This watercolour of houses across the street came about from wanting to paint something that was uninspiring – because painting is painting, whatever the subject – and painting can transform your view of things. It was supposed to be an exercise in letting my hand do the thinking.
But the picture fits within the British landscape tradition – and might even fall into the category of suburban art. These houses were built in 1937. Painting them led me to read Stevie Smith’s poems about the suburbs – and about the place and contribution of the suburbs to twentieth-century British culture. “Round about the streets I slink / Suburbs are not so bad I think…”
Links:
Showing paintings of British suburban houses to Saudis – BBC News Magazine, 2012 “The Suburban Classes” by Stevie Smith
“Suburbs are not so bad I think”: Stevie Smith’s Problem of Place in 1930s and ‘40s London by Kristin Bluemel, 2003
I too grew up in the London suburbs – and these are great! Much nicer than the real houses! I do love your loose style…
Thank you Kathy – i appreciate your comment 🙂
Beautiful work. Thanks for liking my post so I could discover you!
Thank you Red- Thats very nice of you to say that.
Such a familiar scene .
Your colour palette and style feel just right for the times somehow too Jo .
I like them better for painting ’em
Even without the title, I would have thought of the British homes, lived in one like this in the suburbs of London… And I must say, it’s so apt. Love the simplicity and precision of the composition…And the colors
thanks, Pink