Detail from graphite drawing by Alexandra Blum looking down onto Westminster Industrial Estate London with gulls circling

Alexandra Blum, ‘Circling Gulls’, graphite on paper, 42 x 59.4cm, 2022. Photo credit: John Howard Davies

I love the way I am at a similar height to flying gulls, when drawing from my fifth-floor studio window.

Scroll down to find our more and to see close ups of ‘Circling Gulls ...

Detail from graphite drawing by Alexandra Blum looking down onto Westminster Industrial Estate London focus on circling gulls close up

Alexandra Blum, Detail from: ‘Circling Gulls’, graphite on paper, 42 x 59.4cm, 2022. Photo credit: John Howard Davies

When making this drawing, the gulls suddenly started repeatedly circling, vociferously calling to one another as they did so….. 

Detail from graphite drawing by Alexandra Blum looking down onto Westminster Industrial Estate London focus on workers having lunch break

Alexandra Blum, Detail from: ‘Act’, graphite on paper, 42 x 59.4cm, 2023. Photo credit: John Howard Davies

....meanwhile, a break from work continued at ground level, uninterrupted by the cacophony above.

Detail from graphite drawing by Alexandra Blum looking down onto Westminster Industrial Estate London focus on fly

Alexandra Blum, Detail from: ‘Act’, graphite on paper, 42 x 59.4cm, 2023. Photo credit: John Howard Davies

And the desiccated body of a fly, which I noticed on the exterior window ledge, felt like a reminder of the brevity of life amongst the abundant activity taking place.

graphite drawing by Alexandra Blum looking down onto Westminster Industrial Estate London with circling gulls

Alexandra Blum, ‘Circling Gulls’, graphite on paper, 42 x 59.4cm, 2022. Photo credit: John Howard Davies

Here’s a reminder of the whole image.