Greetings from London England. The spring has sprung and the beat goes on. Summer is in the post and I find myself shuffling through photos from the past few months to share a little British offering. A mix of art shows and happenings, colourful spots meandering on the map to where I have been.

I start my photo journey in my native town of London at the opening of the Urban Angel art space. The show was packed with an array of popular names and sought after artefacts. Check out the gallery at www.urbanangel.com, or go visit for real 41-43 Red Church Street, E2.

Here's my pick of the show A smashing piece by Pure Evil, I was waiting for someone to make a painting of that face.

Dose One

A Remi Rough embellished figure. I'm pretty sure this figure is from some 90's computer game, but the name of the game escapes me.

Here's an impressive trompe l'oeil painting by Zeus, for a second I really thought I was a naked lady walking away from myself taking a photo!

Mister Lister. A fallen super hero.

Hush

A Classic Banksy piece, ripped from the street and beautifully framed.

On the subject of the stencil guru, I passed this famous piece in Bristol a few weeks ago, Bristol is Banky's hometown and the city is wall to wall stencils and graffiti, kinda like an art tour of who's who is the UK street art world.

I was in Bristol setting up my recent solo show at the Here Gallery. you can see a whole bunch of photos of the show and the set up on my web site here www.davidshillinglaw.co.uk/dumbfounded.htm

The Here gallery is a gallery and awesome bookshop selling books, zines and prints, run by wonderful people in a great part of town called Stokes Croft. Go visit 'Here', see a show and buy a book www.thingsfromhere.co.uk

I was staying at the gallery for a few days and very much enjoyed the cafe across the road called Kino. Coffee, Tea, home made food, free Internet, art on the walls, and all of it Vegan. (I'm not vegan, but I enjoy eating food that has gone through a selection process and been prepared and cooked with care and attention). Thanks to Kino for keeping me full of beans and cafines while I was arting in Bristol. GO! Kino.

I took a few nice walks through Bristol, avoiding the over populated areas and trying to find the highest point of view.

I found this high vantage point and enjoyed seeing this historical city from above.

A few Bristol facts As a major seaport, Bristol has a long history of trading, originally wool cloth exports and imports of fish, wine, grain and dairy produce, later tobacco and tropical fruits. In 1947 it was twinned with Bordeaux in France and Hanover, the first post-war twinning of British and German cities. According to the National Audit Office Bristol is the least anti-social place in England.

I also came across this beautiful old derelict church.

Beautiful old derelict church interior

While walking around town I happened upon a really old man fixing up really old motorbikes. He offered to sell me this bike, but the rest of what the old man said I didn't understand, so I just nodded, smiled and walked away.

More Bristolicious street art

A short while after Bristol I found my way to another beautiful seaside city Brighton. Brighton is full of artsy people and places. Only a few hours from London I love escaping to Brighton to visiting my grandma and hang out with friends.

This mad Russian looking building is The Royal Pavilion, a former royal residence located in Brighton. It was built in the early 19th Century as a seaside retreat for the then Prince Regent.

My Lovely girlfriend and I stayed with a good buddy of mine Mr Jim Sanders. Jim is a fantastic artist, you can see a whole bunch more of his work at www.jimsanders.info

Jim fills his house with objects and materials he finds around town and on the beach. Some pieces are obviously artworks in progress; other pieces just seem to grow organically. Jim's house is like walking into a 3dimentional sketchbook, every wall and surface has something to say. Sometimes its hard to tell where the work ends and the living space begins. I like Jim and his attitude towards life. He doesn't watch TV and he still plays vinyl records. Jim lives with Bob his dog. He works constantly as a full time artist. GO! Jim.

Jim showed us some of his recent large-scale drawings. He has been collaborating with children he teaches from time to time.

We took a good long walk to the opening of a new show that Jim was part of. We took the scenic route to check out the view of Brighton from above.

Jims work in the show A few framed stencils. Nice exhibition with live musics at the Fair-trade gallery (www.fairtradegallery.co.uk)

Here's my lovely girlfriend modelling the English Channel.

Back in London I visited 'Giant 'oh' A new installation by Remi/Rough and System at the Nancy Victor gallery (www.nancyvictor.com) A few days later I stopped in on Remi Rough and Part2ism who were setting up an installation show at the pure evil gallery (www.pureevilclothing.com)

Here's Remi Rough adding his trademark stokes, drips and splashes on the gallery walls and doors. Check out Remi Rough online at www.roughe.com. Remi is a great guy and is always throwing up mad tricks all over UK walls.

System detail

Part2ism

In the back room at pure evil I spied this gem by FEFE and REMED. See more collaboration by these 2 celebrated street artists www.fefetalavera.blogspot.com

I stumbled across the remains of this massive wall piece by I'm guessing David Ellis? I hope it was, I love the work of David Ellis.

The last few days I spent in sunny Cambridge, distracting my girlfriend from her very important studies. I think this photo sums up my experience of Cambridge, cycling through greener pastures and trying my best to forget about the cost of living in London and the fear of swine influenza snapping at my heels.

Other shows I recommend seeing in London include the Sarah Fanelli '6 Characters in Search of an Author', at the Stanley Picker Gallery at Kingston University (www.kingston.ac.uk/picker/index.htm)

Sarah Fanelli is one of my all time favourite artists/illustrators, check her out (www.sarafanelli.com) Sarah Fanelli

Also on in London right now, Fred Tomaselli at the White Cube. An incredible artist and a superb selection of works. (www.whitecube.com) Fred Tomaselli.

Other news includes my working being used to launch the One Picture series, (www.onepicture.co.uk) set up by Melanie at 96 Gillespie (www.96gillespie.com) The One picture Series in a very interesting online project, visit the site and read all about it. My piece from the series.

I am also making a live painting performance as part of the Visionaries exhibition at Wall Space Gallery on the 19th of May. (www.wallspace.org.uk) If you are in London come along and see what goes on. Other artist in the Visionaries show include Peter Howson, the Chapman brothers, Billy Childish, and Adam Neate.

Should make for a showstopper.

I hope my words and pictures have given you some food for thought from the land of tea and crumpets.

Words and photos: David Shillinglaw {moscomment}