Launch event: Sat 17 May 2025, 12 – 2.30pm

An exhibition of watercolour paintings by Redbridge artist Ray McSharry, capturing the borough’s parks, streets and buildings through the changing seasons, revealing the beauty of our local landmarks.

Ray says: “I’m inspired by interesting shapes, skylines, and architecture, and Redbridge offers a wealth of great material. We are lucky to have such a beautiful park as Valentines, and Pioneer Point in the background of my urban pictures is a great bonus and helps create interesting compositions. I travel around a lot on buses and am always on the lookout for subjects to sketch.

“In this exhibition I show Redbridge scenes at different times of the year. The park in particular looks amazing under snow! I hope you enjoy the exhibition.” 

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Ray McSharry is a local Redbridge artist who learnt to sketch as a child during the long summer holidays at his grandparents’ farm in rural Ireland. With no other children to play with, someone suggested he drew the animals on the farm – and a lifelong passion was born. 

Over the years, Ray kept up his new-found hobby, teaching himself to draw and paint in a range of mediums. When he discovered watercolour, he quickly became obsessed, teaching himself techniques from library books by his favourite painters and instructors: Edward Wesson, F. Watson, Edward Seago and the Impressionist watercolour painters. 

Ray’s job as a ticket seller on the London Underground gave him access to many of London’s famous landmarks: St Pauls, Monument, Embankment, etc. He always carried his sketchbook with him. 

Ray now runs regular watercolour workshops for adults in Redbridge, teaching others the skills and pleasure of watercolour painting.