Summer exhibition a walk and tea.

Yesterday, John and I had a tiring but enjoyable day out in central London. We tend to only head into central london for exhibitions, the theatre, Christmas lights or some other important activity. Particularly at this time of year, London is crazy busy with lots of tourists from all over the world. When we do visit we sometimes play a game of how many different languages can we hear being spoken. Lots was the answer yeaterday! We had ventured out to visit the Summer exhibition at the Royal Academy of Art and to enjoy afternoon tea at a London hotel. The day was very hot and the A/C on the underground wasn't really coping but we managed the trip without overheating too much. We arrived slightly early for our timeslot which was good since security has been ramped up recently. As we entered the courtyard this sign was facing us. It was so bright and cheerful I have no idea how I stopped myself bursting into song.

The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, which is commonly known as the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) is a London based organisation. Every year it holds its Summer Exhibition and we tend to visit every year. Anyone can submit a piece of artwork for display and the exhibition coordination and team will chose the works that will be exhibited.

I have found over the years that cats are very popular as a subject for art work. Most of the pictures in this corner were cat based. Since quilters are known for liking cats I thought we'd start with this theme.

This piece by Laura Ford is titled, Tailchaser 1 and he certainly was getting a lot of attention. Some people were a little shocked at the pose but this just reminded me of our old cat Casso. He would sit in this position to groom his front fur.

My other favourite cat exhibit was this one. Titled 'Thus Regard Palmerston' by Freufian Typo. Quite a few people thought it was a live cat just sat very still. It was made using mixed media. he had a very bossy stare.

There were three pictures by the same artist that I liked. Somewhere - William Morris and Co. arriving at Kelmscott. Engraving with hand colouring by Chris Orr RA.

Britannia and Company (Restaurant) Mumbai. Watercolour and mixed media . Chris Orr RA

Sur les Rooftops de Paris Avec You. Colour engraving with hand colouring. Chris Orr RA.

There were several textile exhibits. Fruits of my Labour, quilted cotton and recycled hollow fibre by Jess Littlewood. This piece was so well done that people thought it was a real cabbage!

Behold Humanity, a tapestry by Sir Grayson Perry RA

Field (Cantharellus Tubaeformis) by Andreas Ruethi. It is a carpet, hand-tufted, hand-spun wool.

This next piece won the Sunny Dupree Family Award for a Woman Artist. The Listening Thing, made of wood, glass eyes and oil paint by Annie Whiles.

I had to include this Little Owl, its so adorable. Painted in oil and acrylic on wood by Lesley O'Mara.

and finally the most expensive piece in the exhibition (that I could find) . Double Take , oil on shaped canvas by Allen Jones RA. The price tag in the guide is £165,600. Most of the art works on display are for sale and the red dot indicates it is sold. More red dots indicate that there have been a number of prints bought.

As we left the RSA we needed coffee to revitalise ourselves. We had planned some sight seeing for the afternoon before we enjoyed our afternoon tea. We headed towards Piccadilly circus and then on to the Mall and into St Jame's Park. It was nice to find some shade under the trees. The grass in the park was very dry but the flower beds were pretty.

The pelicans get feed at about 2:30 each afternoon and this guy was already waiting as we walked past.

Unfortunately I didn't have the right lens with me to get a picture of the rest of the pelicans on the rocks.

This is a bar headed goose.

We also can across this very elegant creature. The information about this is in the next photo.

We left the park and walked the short distance to the hotel arriving in perfect time . By the time we arrived I was very ready for afternoon tea. The waiter was very helpful and offered to take a photo for us.

Later we made our way home on the underground. The journey was very quick and I was very happy to be home. My feet were tired from the day but it had been a very good day out. 

My plan for today is to get as much sewing done as I can manage on my blouse. I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow.

Take care

Lyndsey