The Water Works nature reserve

I'm working on a number of themes for up coming exhibitions, one at Walthamstow library will be on the theme of retreat. I have been taking photos in local churchyards and parks and went down to a local nature reserve last week.
This reserve, The Water works, is part of the Lea valley parks and reserves, the land was once part of the filter system for East London's water. There were pumping stations and filter beds and was used until the 1960's.
Despite the huge pylons striding across the land and the busy Leabridge road on one side and industrial land to one side, the space was remarkably tranquil. A host of birds were singing, and a pair of swans, families of ducks and moor hens were all on the old filter beds.


There are different habitats maintained on the filter beds and a large section of walkways and hides to look out at the birds and wildlife. I took some photos, some here.

Urban Arts Workshop

Saturday 19th was one of Amitajyoti's and my workshops, on the theme of Perception. I really enjoy the challenge of working with the Buddhist perspective, that there is a non-dual reality/ way of seeing the world. We normally see the world through our constructed ego sense, which leads to the idea of self as separate or opposed to other.



I used Chogyam Trungpa's books, Dharma Art and Glimpses of Abhidharma as resources, and we gave short talks and lead drawing exercises. We also went into the local park to put our new ways of seeing into practise. Some pics here, and more on my main site.

Buddhist graffiti

Walking along Old street I spotted this graffiti on some hoardings. I looked twice, is that a mantra syllable ? It seemed a bit surreal on this busy London street, but if any one is to spray paint on the walls, I think I prefer a mantra to Avalokiteshvara than some obscene language. But then I am still in the realms of duality!



There is a good artists bookshop on Pitfield street near there bookartbookshop I like to go and have a look around. There are so many styles of artist's books and I always come away with some inspiration, and sometimes a very cheap book.

I have been busy helping out for my friend's ordination, this included making special shrines for her private and public ordinations. Funnily enough after being caught up in the world of trees, for my main site's new section, Small trees arrived on the shrines. Very beautiful they looked too, lit up with lights.

A few days in St Ives

Last week saw Ruth and I in St Ives. It was a mini holiday, we had been there about 8 or 9 years ago and really loved the town. Tate St Ives was on the list of visits, and fortunately there was a display of Bernard Leach's work there, as the museum of his work was closed for refurbishment.
There was some interesting work from contemporary artists in Cornwall on display in Tate St Ives I am looking at the video work more often as I walk around with my video camera.


The Barbara Hepworth museum and Sculpture garden was again a delight to see. I bought a DVD about her and Bernard Leach, lovely to see Barbara Hepworth in her recently planted garden. The cherry tree only a quarter of the size it is today. And interesting that she states quite strongly that her sculpture is for touching, and for interacting with.
How sad that we are not allowed ( officially ) to climb, lean or touch her work now, when that experience was integral to her conception of the sculptures she made.


I took quite a lot of photos some videos of the sea and water and did some drawing while I was there. I am working on my Bird Diaries. Little books perhaps, that note one of my connecting with the birds around me.