45 Days in London: Day 28

Courtauld Gallery/Somerset House

This reminded me of the Frick Collection in New York -- not overwhelming, but just the right size, because it began as someone's personal collection.

The Courthauld has a huge selection of Rubens, Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, plus an amazing roomful of prints and drawings from the 18th century to today.

The building itself is also pretty spectacular. A famous staircase, a widely used film location, a spacious courtyard, and wonderful details.

Across the courtyard was another gallery, where the Courthauld Institute of Art is housed. There was a "Rudeboy" style/attitude photo exhibition. Gorgeous photographs, artfully displayed, and I was introduced to a whole new segment of the culture and their philosophy. There was also an exhibit of gorgeous black-and white lithographs by an artist named John Virtue. Wow! I wanted to purchase one, but they had nothing available for sale.

But wait—there's more! An exhibit on Josef and Anni Albers' famous color studies and textiles...brilliant artists from the Bauhaus school. I love me some great color theory. In all there was so much inspiration—much of it surprising—for my own work, and to share with my students.

Jamie Oliver's Pop-up Diner

Tiny bit of gourmet just above Piccadilly Circus. Gritty decor. Diner food done just right.

And amazingly, about the same price as McDonald's. That's a no-brainer.

Once Upon a Time in China, parts one and two

Six hours of Jet Li's gymnastic kung-fu fighting, in a historical setting. I thought it would be a drag to watch five-plus hours of Chinese cinema, but I enjoyed it. What's not to love about people flying through the air, and furniture flying with them?  :)