📚 April 2024

London, in-between time and some Artist Dates

‘My Dad says that being a Londoner has nothing to do with where you're born. He says that there are people who get off a jumbo jet at Heathrow, go through immigration waving any kind of passport, hop on the tube and by the time the train's pulled into Piccadilly Circus they've become a Londoner.’ ― Ben Aaronovitch, Moon Over Soho

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Herne Hill, London

April has been one of those months of what I call in-between time — those periods in life in which surroundings are transient and temporary, almost like being in a lift waiting to land on the desired floor. It looks like May will be a continuation of this until we move to our new place. Patience.

In the meantime, I have made the most of living in central London. Last month we were put on temporary accommodation by our company, and we experienced the rare thing of being Fitzrovians in London. I took the opportunity to go out and about on some Artist Dates:

1. The National Portrait Gallery

   My failed attempt to go to the National Gallery (due a a big, big line) turned into a visit around the corner to the National Portrait Gallery, which reopened last year after some renovations and a new entrance design by Jamie Fobert Architects. It’s always very interesting to walk among portraits in a museum: the people framed in the pictures look so alive.

   

   Some portraits from the Gallery that captured my attention

2. The British Museum

   The visit to the British Museum was one of my favourite recent Artist Dates. It’s been a while since I’ve been, and it never disappoints (politics and debates on the origin of the artworks aside). This time, I went directly to the Japanese room, where there is a notable collection of drawings. More to come on that next week!

   

   Some photos I did in my recent visit to the British Museum

3. Foyles bookstore

   This is one of my sacred, favourite places in London. Being back in town means regular walkabouts at Foyles on Charing Cross Road. The best news is that they now have a small art supply shop inside the bookstore (although if you’re in London, I would recommend the London Graphic Centre in Covent Garden). The café on the top floor at Foyles is one of those nice places to work.

4. Picturehouse Central

   Tucked next to Shaftesbury Avenue, this cinema is a hidden gem. The best thing: the café/restaurant on the first floor is a secret spot away from tourists. It’s so central yet it feels so intimate. I tend to go there for a coffee and some quiet time to read and work when I am in town.

   (Maybe I shouldn’t be revealing this place…!)

   

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Some books meet you along the journey, while others appear at the right time and place. Encountering a special book to read is always a moment to celebrate. I casually found out about the Rivers of London saga from Ben Aaronovitch just recently. I don’t tend to read fiction too often (something I am changing), but this book hooked me: murder mysteries, magic, and London. What else can you ask for? The curious thing is that my partner mentioned it to me some while ago, and I just put the two together.

It’s a nice book to reconnect with London now that I’m back.

Happy reading! 📚✨

Ana

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📚 What I’m reading in April 2024:

• Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch. The first book of a saga of murder mysteries and magic in the streets of London.

• El Manual de Dibujo (The Manual Drawing) by Juan José Gómez Molina, Lino Cabezas and Juan Bordes. This book found me back at my parents' house, in my old room and library, when visiting recently. It’s an old edition, and I don’t recall having bought it (it must have been my dad’s), but it’s truly a gem: a complete and comprehensive detailed manual of drawing techniques.

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Thanks so much for reading!

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All images and text © Ana Vila