The Bridge of Jewels

Amethyst and emeralds Jade and gold with rubies at the heart. Four Clubs on Westminster Bridge feels like a jewel encrusted gem, set in an ocean of luscious colours. Even the London Eye becomes a beaded necklace with each bead pod strung on a platinum white chain. There’s even a gold brick with a graffiti maker’s mark.

A lone lamppost sports faceted shades of turquoise with gold trim. The architecture of London exudes wealth, and never more so than on Westminster Bridge. With the Houses of Parliament, or should I say the Palace of Westminster, but a stone’s throw away.

People in power love to display their wealth. If you’ve got it, flaunt it, as the saying goes. As status symbols go, at least this can be enjoyed by the masses. It’s not locked away in a vault somewhere or behind a glass case, only visible to those willing to pay the entry price. This one can’t be stolen. Westminster Bridge can’t be stolen. I’m all for seeing beauty and wealth in everyday life, as long as we all have the opportunity to enjoy it. But I digress.

Back to the painting. This is one of those rare paintings where I had the title before it was begun. Well, the four clubs part at least. The image was created to be included in a pack of cards produced by the Society of Women Artists in 2023. Each card is an image created by one of the members to represent the range of skills available.

The four clubs are on the railing or wall of the bridge behind the three solid figures, with a determined appearance. Oblivious to the beauty of the surrounding scene. The lamp post draws your attention, set at the heart of a Ferris Wheel halo. Three gemstones set in gold with all the details that you could imagine. Over the top comes to mind. More Victorian excess they didn’t do lights. They did lights with knobs on literally. I wonder if that’s where the phrase originates, I must go and find out.

Creation: Masking fluid is painted onto watercolour paper to create an image. This is covered with a watercolour wash and covered with clingfilm. The film is removed and the picture is developed further using acrylic inks. Several layers are added, allowed to dry and eventually the masking is removed. Revealing the final picture.