A sort of study visit

Urbansketchers London went to Walthamstow in cold late April drizzle. I've never been there before and I really wanted to explore and draw but I also wanted to see the William Morris Gallery so I did a whistlestop tour which really didn't show it the respect that it deserves. Morris was an amazingly versatile man. An artist, designer, illustrator and social campaigner. I have always admired his work since I saw it as a teenager. Maybe his patterns are rather busy but he doesn't overwhelm you with colour. They may look a little bit old fashioned but not 150 years old. The gallery has a good online section with examples of work from the Arts and Crafts movement.
There was work from Frank Brangwyn another artistic polymath. Researching him afterwards I was impressed by his drawings for the Making Sailors project particularly Youthful Ambition (from the Tate website) which really captures the spirit of the boy dreaming of going to sea.
Also a modern exhibition from Gayle Chong Kwan called The Peoples Forest which featured photos of Epping forest and complex headwear made from collaged pictures.
I also went to Gods Own Junkyard which is hidden in an industrial estate, you wouldn't stumble on it unless you were looking. It's the complete antithesis of the Arts and Crafts movement, bold, clashing, bright and unnecessary but completely amazing, like wandering into a fairground but brighter, indoors and with a good cafe inside.  An absolute must see for anyone visiting the area.