Watercolour by Alexandra Blum of window flung open with summer trees and buildings on area leading up to Shooters Hill London

Alexandra Blum, ‘Gasping for air’, watercolour on paper, 23 x 30.5 cm, 2026.

A feather falls, birds flee, a window opens, focusing my attention on the small acts and events which combine to create the urban environments we live within.

'Gasping for air' was begun early in the summer of 2026, when the tree canopy was still vividly green, but completed during one of the heatwaves when opening and closing windows to manage heat within a room was a daily preoccupation.

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Detail of watercolour by Alexandra Blum focussing on window handle and summer trees and birds in urban landscape beyond window on area leading up to Shooters Hill London

Alexandra Blum, Detail of ‘Gasping for air’, watercolour on paper, 23 x 30.5 cm, 2026.

Detail of watercolour by Alexandra Blum of bird gliding over buildings and trees within urban forest in south London seen through open window

Alexandra Blum, Detail of ‘Gasping for air’, watercolour on paper, 23 x 30.5 cm, 2026.

Detail of watercolour by Alexandra Blum focussing on window mechanism with sky, birds and urban forest on horizon

Alexandra Blum, Detail of ‘Gasping for air’, watercolour on paper, 23 x 30.5 cm, 2026.

Detail of watercolour by Alexandra Blum focussing on birds flying over summer tree canopy and buildings in area near Shooters Hill London

Alexandra Blum, Detail of ‘Gasping for air’, watercolour on paper, 23 x 30.5 cm, 2026.

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All rights reserved. Text and images © 2026 Alexandra Blum

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