Kensington Gardens

17 Friday May 2013

Posted by pat in Art, England, Gardens, London, The Royal Family, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace

One of my favorite parks in London is Kensington Gardens.

Entering Kensington Gardens from the Notting Hill side. Photo by me.

Entering Kensington Gardens from the Notting Hill side in autumn. Photo by me.

I discovered it last year, and since then I can’t stay away.

Kensington Gardens’ Round Pond. The perfect spot on a summer’s day. Photo by me.

One of London’s Royal Parks, it flows out from behind Kensington Palace…

Kensington Palace. Photo by me

…to join with Hyde Park on its eastern border.

On the western side of London, Kensington Gardens is next to one of the most desirable areas in London– Kensington–known for some of the best shopping in the city.

Kensington High Street, just a few blocks from Kensington Gardens. Photo by me

It is also very near the popular Notting Hill neighborhood and the famous Portobello market.

Sunday afternoon on Portobello Road at the market. Photo by me.

A crowded Sunday afternoon shopping on Portobello Road at the market. Photo by me.

To the south of the park is the famous concert hall, The Royal Albert Hall, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concert since 1941. It is right across from the Albert Memorial Gate entrance to the park and the Albert Memorial on Kensington Road.

Royal Albert Hall viewed from Kensington Gardens. Photo by David Iliff, Creative Commons

The Albert Memorial. Photo Wikimedia Commons by D. Iliff

And of course right inside the gardens on the west side of the park is Kensington Palace, the London home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Will & Kate) and Prince Harry.

Kensington Palace from the Sunken Garden in June. Photo by me.

The Sunken Garden outside the palace, on the edge of Kensington Gardens. Photo by me.

Kate has been known to walk Lupo in the park with her security guard at her side.

Kate was seen recently walking Lupo around the Italian Gardens in the park.Creative Commons photo

But so far I have not been fortunate enough to run in to them.

The gates between Kensington Palace and the park. Photo by me.

There are lots of dog walkers in the park, and to be a “commercial dog walkers” you do need a license to “operate” in the royal parks. But these British dogs seem very well-behaved, following all the rules…most of the time.

A dog walker takes a break in KG. Photo by me.

You are very aware of the royal residents who used the park as their backyard. This small cafe is next to The Princess Diana Memorial Playground.

One of several small shelters to stop and sit and enjoy the park. Photo by me.

Word has it that the Princess stopped for coffee at the small shop that now bears her name which is right outside the gates that lead to the palace.

The Diana Cafe where I stopped for lunch on my walk around the park back to my hotel. Photo by me.

But it is the beauty of the park itself that keeps me coming back. It is well used by the locals and visitors. You can feel the friendliness as soon as you enter.

A friend captures the foliage and her friend in a photo, while a group of children practice their “football” (soccer in the US) in the background. Photo by me.

No matter what the season, it just seems like a lovely space to meet a friend and spend an hour or two walking.

A painting of Kensington Gardens by me.

Kensington Gardens and an afternoon stroll

27 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by pat in Art, England, Gardens, London, paintings, sketching

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace, parks

There is nothing quite like a stroll in a park with a couple of good friends, especially on a magically sunny day in London’s Kensington Gardens.

In to Kensington Gardens on a lovely fall day. Photo by me

When I was there last autumn, I couldn’t resist a cup of tea in the nearby Kensington Palace tea shop, and then out in to the park.

The entrance to Kensington Palace where there is a special little tea shop. Photo by me

There were people strolling and biking, but these three women caught my attention. They could just as easily be me and my friends in Central Park. There is something so universal about the scene.

Just outside the palace gates, friends move down the path. Photo by me

So when I started to paint the scene, I wanted the trees to become almost a halo around the three figures, setting them apart from the world around them. And I cropped it so that the women were the center of our attention.

The three figures become front and center with cropping.

As I layered the golden branches, the recollection of mood took over, and the painting definitely took on an aura that was true.

Tones are worked on.

And detail was added that I knew would actually be part of a underpainting. This is the tricky part.

Bolder strokes are added that I want to show through the haze.

It is always quite scary to then brush over the image to create a mood, and decide how much to cover in the haze and where to remove the overlay of color. This is why I love oils. They are forgiving in the layering process. If it doesn’t work out, you can always add more layers.

A soft layer of gold is added overall except over the figures.

Finally, detail is added, some of the haze is gently removed, and I have accomplished the mood I originally hoped for.

The final canvas.

The friends are lost in their own world but encased in the glow of the autumn leaves. The perfect day with friends.

City Parks: London, Paris & New York

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by pat in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, England, entertainment, Gardens, London, paintings, sketching, Travel, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

Central Park, New York City, Paris, St James's, The Tuileries

I have always loved large cities. And traveling has just increased that love and fascination. What is it about these magnificent cities that lure me back again and again?

A Paris street. Photo by me

I think there is something incredibly special about spending a day in a major city–visiting museums,

maybe a movie or a show…

Times Square in New York City, featuring a movie, a play or just people watching. Photo by me.

or a bit of leisurely window shopping…

Window shopping in Paris. Photo by me.

A shop windows near St. James Palace in London, photo by me

A shop windows near St. James’s Palace in London, photo by me.

And then when you have just about had enough (but never quite), and your feet cannot carry you another block, you find a corner of a cozy park to settle down in with a cup of coffee or a cold drink.

A quiet corner of Central Park, NYC, in summer. Photo by me.

Central Park in summer, with a jazz musician playing under the bridge. Photo by me.

I think it is part of what makes a great city, well, great. A green oasis in the center of the bustle and noise. They have their own excitement and energy…

Central Park in summer, photo by me.

But also moments of peace and tranquility.

Sailing boats in Central Park, NYC. Photo by me.

Of course, I grew up near New York City on Long Island, and spent many happy hours in Central Park. And in the decades I worked in Washington, DC as a graphic designer, I also had a small studio apartment in NYC right across the street from Central Park. I could walk out the door of the building, cross the heavy traffic of Central Park West and I was in that very special place…a city park.

One of Central Park’s Broad Avenues. Photo by me

I have many images of Central Park that I have been looking at and sketching as part of the “Cities” series of paintings I have been working on this year. One of the things I have noticed working on this series is how similar the great parks are. Although each region has its own personality, the parks also have common elements–the broad walking paths, gorgeous ancient trees, people playing games…socializing…walking, and cool swaths of rolling lawn. And of course a water feature.

St. James Park, London. Photo by me.

In London, I think my favorite park is St. James’s Park.

The London park’s incredible flowers. Is it the abundance of rain? Photo by me.

Right down the street from Buckingham Palace you can always find a garden or a group of ducks on the edge of the lake that help to rejuvenate you.

One of St. James’s noisiest residents. Photo by me.

Kensington Gardens, a Royal Park, is one of my new favorites in London, just between Hyde Park and Kensington Palace. On my last trip to London in November it was golden, and I managed to take lots of pictures.

Kensington Park, London. Photo by me.

Luckily a painting was born. I look at this, and see any of the parks I have visited in large cities. This is just the beginning, but although it is Kensington, it could be a scene in New York or Paris.

The beginning of a painting of Kensington Park. Oil sketch by me

The three women are connecting with each other as they stroll through the lanes. You can hear children playing the background, maybe a dog barking, but mostly it is a quiet space where the women stroll in their own special world. The beauty of parks in a big city is it offers the residents a place to come together before retreating back to their small, or large, living spaces behind locked doors.

It reminds me of the painting I did of Bath, England a few years ago. The two women are alone under the trees walking and talking.

“The Voyeur”, painting by me.

In Paris, my favorite park is definitely, without a doubt, the Tuileries. It is a spectacular park. And is so “Parisian”.

The Tuileries in Paris. Photo by me.

All the elements of the other parks are there. The social games…

My version of the scene…

The water feature…

The edge of the Tuileries with the Louvre in the background. Photo by me.

The grand trees and broad avenues …

A lovely road through the park. Photo by me.

In Paris, everything is so neatly trimmed unlike the wild abandon of the English parks…

Kensington’s ducks being fed. Photo by me.

Or the naturally sculpted woods of Central Park…

Central Park’s rolling lawns. Photo by me.

But each has its own special magic. I can’t imagine if I really had to pick a favorite, which it would be.

Good night, dear cities. Sleep well. Your parks will wake up early in the morning.

Paris from my hotel window. Just beyond the rooftops, is The Tuileries. Photo by me.

The Botanical Gardens of Bath

22 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by pat in Bath, England, Gardens, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Bath Botanical Gardens, Queen's Square, Royal Crescent, Royal Victoria Park

I thought you all deserved a leisurely stroll through a gorgeous autumnal setting in honor of that very American celebration, Thanksgiving. So take a break from cooking that turkey, grab a cup of tea, and come along.

Tucked off to the western edge of Bath, past The Royal Crescent , are the Botanical Gardens of Bath. And what better time to visit as the season changes from autumn to winter.

The Botanical Gardens of Bath. Photo by me

Getting there is half the joy. I headed off around Queen’s Square, through the gates to Royal Victoria Park, you came to the very edge of the historic downtown…

Queen’s Square, the last bit of city before the park begins. Photo by me

Cutting across the park just south of the Royal Crescent. Photo by me

…and the beginning of a gorgeous expanse of greens and groves of trees.

The Botanical Gardens are in the distance, through groves of trees. Photo by me

I walked through what seemed liked pristine English countryside, and finally got to the entrance of the gardens.

Photo by me

The Botanical Gardens, set inside Royal Victoria Park, were designed in 1887 and within their 9 acres of rambling walks is an incredible collection of plants on limestone.

Across from the entrance to the gardens is “The Great Dell”. Photo by me

In classic English style the winding paths revealed quiet coves and gentle gardens each with their seemingly random nature, but actually beautifully planned.

Photo by me

It was well worth the walk.

Winter is finally approaching Bath. Photo by me

A last burst signaling the end of autumn. Photo by me

A place to rest before the walk back to city centre. Photo by me

The path back to town. Photo by me

Back to Bath Center, and lunch before my train leaves for London.

…and Bath is Bronze

12 Monday Nov 2012

Posted by pat in Bath, Gardens, Travel, United Kingdom

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

The Circus, The Crescent

If London was golden this week, my first impression of Bath when I arrived by train yesterday afternoon was the honey bronze richness of the city under a clear blue English sky and lots of sun. Yes, even in England they sometimes see the sun.

A glorious afternoon in Bath looking down the Avon River. Photo by me

It has something to do with the color of the gorgeous stone buildings that makes Bath so memorable. The architecture in this small city is Palladian spectacular. You can just imagine Jane Austen sitting in one of the small parks plotting her novels.

The Circus, designed by John Wood the Elder, Bath. Photo by me

The low autumn sun helped to define the classic facades.

The Royal Crescent was built between 1767 and 1775 and contains some 30 houses. Photo by me.

I hated to lose the sun today. Never know when I might see it again over here. Today’s forecast is for clouds and some scattered showers, and it’s rainy outside now. Time to get the brollie back out.

A walk through the park, Bath. Photo by me

Ah, well. I always say it is all the rain that makes the gardens and parks so magnificent in Great Britain. Nowhere better.

The Flower Box

10 Monday Sep 2012

Posted by pat in Burnham-on-Crouch, Cornwall, England, Gardens, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

Cornwall, Flower box, London

Everywhere we went in Great Britain on our travels there was a great profusion of flower boxes.

A perfect window dressing. Photo by me

From the simplest to the most elaborate they were everywhere.

A creative flower display in Fowey, Cornwall, England on the southwest coast. Photo by me

The English love their gardens and if they don’t have a bit of land to plant in they will create a plot to hang on a wall, …

Like a special hat over the doorway, these bright red geraniums decorate a building in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex. Photo by me

…grace a pub in London,

Happy hour on a Friday afternoon made happier by the flowers over head. Photo by me

or swing from a doorway.

A flower basket at the front door. Photo by me

I think they get their inspiration from the rock walls nearby. With all the rain, flowers grow anywhere. It really is special to see.

Flowers on the cliff walls. Photo by me

Topiary

04 Tuesday Sep 2012

Posted by pat in England, Gardens, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

≈ Leave a Comment

There was a great excitement at the Chelsea Flower Show in London this past May about the use of topiary in landscaping. A classic element of gardening had made a stunning reappearance at the show, and it made me aware how much the feature is used in British gardens.

As we drove around we did notice the most amazing shrubbery…

A long shaped hedge at Penshurst Place. Photo By me.

…clipped and trained in the most wonderful, fanciful shapes.

Outside a castle in Scotland. Photo by me

I can’t image the amount of time and care that goes in to creating and keeping these lovely sculptures alive and in trim.

Topiary in Scotland. Photo by me.

But the effort is greatly appreciated…even the most simple.

Simple topiary at Sandringham at the gates to the old stables. Photo by me

I have started looking for them, and comparing their beautiful shapes. It’s great to know they can survive even in these modern times when something that might take years to accomplish seems less popular. With topiary, patience is definitely a virtue

A whimsical bush in Broadway, The Cotswolds. Photo by me

I love the artistic, sculptural quality of them.

I love how this mimics the stone. Photo by me

And the surprise of seeing these fabulous shapes when you least expect them. The English love their gardens and are willing to spend hours on achieving great beauty. And we love discovering them.

Clipped foliage borders the lawn at Houghton Hall. Photo by me.

Houghton Hall, The Gardens

07 Saturday Jul 2012

Posted by pat in England, Gardens, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Houghton Hall

Houghton Hall, the early 18th century hall of Great Britain’s First Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, had two very distinct draws for my interest besides the main mansion.

One was the Deer Park, which I discussed in my last post.

The front lawns of Houghton Hall stretch for miles down to the deer park. Photo by me

The deer on the lawn. They certainly weren’t shy. Photo by me.

The other was the magnificent 5-acre walled garden. An area of the garden has been retained as a kitchen garden, but most has been laid out as a series of ornamental gardens in various styles.

The beginning of the walled gardens Photo by me

It was lovely, and had so many twists and turns, we weren’t sure where to begin. So we began in the middle.

Photo by me.

Down the center was a long alley with gorgeous borders. The wider north borders are planted with hot colors-reds and oranges-while the south borders are in cooler blues and whites.

At both ends are charming surprises that make you want to linger and enjoy the view

The Rustic Temple makes use of a collection of deer antlers found in the park. Photo by me.

I love when they have intimate surprises at the end of these long vistas of flowers. It just makes you want to sit and take it all in.

At the other end of the long alley of flowers is the glasshouse. Photo by me

And in between, there are small garden rooms that strike off from the main aisle on paths behind the hedges.

Long passageways gave entry to the different garden areas. Photo by me

Each has its own personality.

A fountain that balances fire on top of the water – the Water Flame – is quite dramatic. Photo by me

One “room” featured some friendly bees in their hives. Photo by me.

Just when you thought you’d seen them all, you would discover one you had missed.

A resident in one of the garden rooms. Photo by me

Truly magnificent.

Another passageway. Photo by me

As we toured the main house you would catch glimpses of the lawn through the windows. And as classically beautiful as the hall was with magnificent wall coverings and fabrics, I was happiest outside overlooking the park.

Houghton Hall, the home of the first prime minister, and still a politically active family. Photo by me

We even managed as we left the house to see a small white plane taking off from across the fields. Magic!

A small plane…

…takes off over the green.

and takes off in to the sky. Photos by me.

Holkham, A Magical Place

01 Sunday Jul 2012

Posted by pat in England, Gardens, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

Holkham

One very special discovery we had in Norfolk was Holkham, a huge privately owned estate, that also included a local village and beach.

Holkham is the center of an agricultural estate of over 25,000 acres. The owners are ancestors of the Earl of Leicester, and the current residents strive to keep it a viable working estate. Viscount Coke, his wife Polly and their four young children (Elizabeth, Edward, Hermione, and Juno) live in the Hall and work constantly to maintain the property and its businesses.

We decided to go for the morning to explore.

The main hall at Holkham, an impressive estate. Photo by me.

We went on a particularly chilly day and were greeted by red deer at the entrance to the Deer Park. The wind was picking up, but it didn’t seem to bother them at all.

The deer welcomed us to Holkham. Photo by me

We got to the main Hall before the ticket office officially opened, so we decided to explore the grounds a bit on our own. The lake looked a bit deserted for the day. It might have had something to do with the chilly day.

Boats awaited visitors on the lake at Holkham. Too cold today! Photo by me.

Still it was lovely, although the wind whipped along the open field. There was a cricket pitch on the left for local matches, and the grounds seemed to go on forever. The estate has hosted major concerts in Britain, including Elton John and Girls Aloud.

Holkham Hall. Photo by me

Holkham is farmed by over 25 tenanted farmers. We saw everything from wheat, to pigs to cows. Holkham’s ancestral residents were pioneers of rotation crop farming, and they have a large exhibition on it.

Farming tools at the museum. Photo by me

Some of Holkham’s happy tenants. Photo by me.

The estate is still privately owned and leases almost 300 houses to people who live and work locally, as well as two inns, The Victoria and The Globe, restaurants and a caravan park. They also started, and run to this day, Holkham Linseed Paint. It is its own little economy and fascinating to see how the family supports this massive estate.

Battered by the chilly breezes, we decided to go back to The Stables Cafe and get a hot cup of latte.

The empty garden, but the baked goods looked great in the cafe. Photo by me.

The tea garden was quite empty but inside it was warmer and very inviting. We bought our tickets to tour the complete grounds and the museum. Outside the cafe, we met a friendly guide who took us around the estate in his open tram, and ended up at the walled garden. It was incredible. They had been working on restoring the 6 1/2 acres of garden that had originally been laid out in the 1700s, for over three years, and still had huge amounts of work to do.

In transition. I think my garden projects are overwhelming, but this is immense! Photo by me.

The boiler heating system had been fixed, and My Beloved Brit was fascinated with the system of pipe works bringing hot water to the outside walls.

My Beloved Brit was fascinated by the boiler and heating system for the glasshouses. There was a huge underground system. This is the chimney. Photo by me

It also heated the Victorian glasshouses which are still being restored.

The glasshouses have underground heating which has been reconnected. Photo by me

It is never-ending. There was garden room after garden room in various stages of restoration. It was interesting to see one of these great gardens going through the process of re-birth. We’ve seen so many in England where the end results were on display.

The payoff for this chilly morning was the Bygones Museum and History of Farming back at the main house. It had rooms and rooms of historic memorabilia from cooking utensils, to an old water pump. And for MBB, the favorite were the cars.

The coutrtyard at the museum at Holkham, filled with all kinds of excellent old vehicles. Photo by me

Everyone who worked at Holkham seemed so happy to be there. Our guide told us endless stories about how the family had changed the area for the better. Very refreshing to hear.

Time for a warming lunch at a pub on the way back to our Inn. Photo by me

It was another memorable day, even though our toes were numb, and our fingers blue. A perfect day in Norfolk.

St. James’s Park, An Oasis

27 Wednesday Jun 2012

Posted by pat in England, Gardens, History, London, The Royal Family, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Buckingham Palace, Henry VII, St. James's Palace, St. James's Park, Westminster Palace

I spent a great deal of time in St. James’s Park on Jubilee Weekend because of its proximity to Buckingham Palace and The Mall where many of the regal activities took place.

One of the most elegant entrances to St. James’s Park from The Mall. Photo by me

Skirted by three royal palaces–the ancient Palace of Westminster (now known as The Houses of Parliament), the Tudor styled St. James’s Palace, and Buckingham Palace where the Monarch has lived since 1837–St. James’s Park is located in the heart of historic London. It is also one of the most beautiful parks in the city.

St. James’s Park, one of the prettiest in London. Photo by me

In 1536, King Henry VIII decided to turn the marshy farmland and woods into a deer park conveniently located near his palace at Westminster.

The Palace of Westminster, now known as the Houses of Parliament

He acquired the land and eventually built a hunting lodge on it which finally became St. James’s Palace.

St. Jame’s Palace is just around the corner from The Ritz on a busy London Street during Jubilee. Photo by me.

St. Jame’s Palace borders two worlds, the park and The Mall on one side, and a busy London Street on the other.

The side of St. James’s Palace backs up to St. Jame’s Park. The Palace is still an active court. Photo by me.

After many reincarnations, the park got another makeover in the 1820s in the naturalistic style when George IV did a major renovation project creating many of London’s best-known landmarks, including Regent’s Park and The Mall as a grand boulevard.

The Mall, a grand processional boulevard next to St. James’s Park. Photo by me

It was overseen by landscaper and architect, John Nash. His design is pretty much as you see the park today.

It was designed by John Nash in a natural style. Photo by me.

The natural curves of the lake fits in beautifully with the English landscaping. Photo by me

A small cottage on the south edge of the park was the bird-keeper’s cottage built in 1841. Photo by me.

You may picnic in the park, but many people prefer to just stroll through the grounds admiring the flower beds…

The flowers bloomed just in time for the Jubilee. Photo by me

The color combinations were so creative. Photo by me

…and seeing the amazing collection of wildlife. With over 5.5 million visitors a year it is amazing that the habitat survives.

The park is very well used, especially on bank holiday weekends. Photo by me.

But survive it does, and flourishes. There are over 15 different species of waterfowl in the park.

A mother and her babies in St. James’s. Photo by me

Some of the waterfowl are beautifully colored. Photo by me

To commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, The Royal Parks fashioned a magnificent crown which is a floral replica of the St. Edwards Crown that was used in the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation ceremony on 2 June 1953.

The Royal Parks Jubilee Crown. Photo by me.

I could have spent many more hours just getting to know the park a little bit better. It makes me want to return for a sketching day along the lake. For more information on the Park, visit their website with a click here.

The lake at St. Jame’s Park looking towards the Horse Guards Parade off Whitehall. Photo by me.

accentBritain

~ a romance with art and all things British

Category Archives: Gardens

Kensington Gardens

Kensington Gardens and an afternoon stroll

City Parks: London, Paris & New York

The Botanical Gardens of Bath

…and Bath is Bronze

The Flower Box

Topiary

Houghton Hall, The Gardens

Holkham, A Magical Place

St. James’s Park, An Oasis