What colour is nostalgia?

You might say it’s sepia-toned, soft-edged, or dusted in golden-hour sunlight. For me, it’s the pale stone of St Paul’s Cathedral against a changing London skyline, the long shadows cast across Primrose Hill in autumn, or the golden haze over Highgate Hill just before dusk. These aren’t just pretty scenes — they’re fragments of memory, layered with meaning, echoing moments that shaped the London I’ve come to know over the last 28 years.

Fifteen years. That’s how long I’ve been painting this city. Always searching, never quite finished.

🚲 The Hunt for the Next Scene

My studio? The streets of London. My tools? A Nikon SLR, a well-worn bicycle, a map in my head, and a rucksack filled with snacks, sketchbooks, and battery packs.

The city is endless in its offerings — a constant muse. But the right composition? That’s a trickier beast. I don’t often find it in a day. Sometimes it takes three return visits. Sometimes I stare at a corner I’ve passed a hundred times before suddenly seeing it with new eyes — crouching in a doorway, standing in the middle of the road (yes, I’ve had a few honks), or waiting for the right slant of sunlight to reveal the soul of a street.

Light is everything. The season matters too — longer shadows in winter, brighter highlights in spring. London shifts constantly. And somehow, that’s what makes it so addictive to paint.

🏙️ The City That Never Stands Still

Before all this — before the, paint palettes, and gallery walls — I was just another suit-wearing hopeful, pacing the pavements of the City with a CV in one hand and ambition in the other. This was 1997. No emails. No LinkedIn. Just grit, leather shoes, and a phonebook. I’d wander past St Paul’s Cathedral often, and one day, exhausted and uncertain, I sat on a bench in its shadow. I remember looking up at that great dome, feeling both small and inspired. I stepped inside. The scale of it. The history. The muscle it took to build it — all left an impression that’s never quite faded.

This year, I finally climbed to the very top of the spire. And I’ll be honest — I’ve never had an issue with heights… until that moment. But what a view. What perspective.

🎨 Why I Painted St Paul’s

My latest painting captures St Paul’s from the Millennium Bridge — a modern frame around an ancient heart. You’ll notice the bridge stretches boldly across the foreground. Some say it steals the scene, but for me, it grounds it. A symbol of the now, pointing us toward what has endured.

When I painted this, I imagined the Great Fire of London, the wooden homes that once stood here, the families who peered out their windows at this structure rising in the smoke. I thought of 1997-me, walking those same streets. I thought of you, perhaps walking them now.

This isn’t just a painting of St Paul’s. It’s a portrait of change. Of resilience. Of nostalgia — the kind you feel in your bones when you see something familiar in a new way.

🖼️ More to Come…

In future posts, I’ll share the stories behind Primrose Hill and Highgate Hill — two more scenes steeped in sunlight, memory, and movement. But for now, I hope this painting of St Paul’s and the Millennium Bridge brings something back for you — a walk, a season, a moment, even if just a flicker of memory.

Because nostalgia does have a colour. And I’ve painted it here.

St Paul's Cathedral | London Wall Art

from £150.00

Giclee Print of St Pauls and the Millennium Bridge | Gift Idea

Bring the timeless beauty of London into your space with this stunning limited edition print, based on an original acrylic painting by M.Rodwell.

Featuring the iconic view of St Paul’s Cathedral as seen from the Millennium Bridge, this piece captures the perfect blend of historic grandeur and modern city life. Pedestrians make their way across the sleek footbridge, leading the eye to the cathedral’s majestic dome — a symbol of resilience and architectural brilliance.

Whether you're decorating a home, office, or gifting a fellow London-lover, this artwork adds a touch of sophistication and cultural charm to any setting.

Own a piece of London’s skyline. Order your limited edition print today and transform your walls with the elegance of St Paul’s Cathedral.

Description

Material:

We use 330gram 100% Cotton acid free Somerset Enhanced Velvet paper.

Delivery to UK:

We take max of 1-2 days to prepare our products for delivery. Limited edition prints are sent via Courier or Royal Mail

Delivery to EU/Non EU Countries:

We take max of 1-2 days to prepare our products for delivery. Limited edition prints are sent via Courier or Royal Mail . Overseas customers are responsible for any fees, taxes and duties associated with shipping to their respective countries. * See terms page for full details

Packaging:

Prints are sent in sturdy postal tubes, ideal for the world postal service.
Framed prints come in sturdy cardboard boxes, purpose built for frames and ideal for the world postal service.

Features:

This Tower Bridge print has a narrative written in pen identifying the location, limited edition print number, embossed and personally signed by the artist.
Portrait 40 cm x 50 cm unframed
Framed 40 cm x 50 cm
Framed 50cm x 70 cm. Narrative written in pencil, limited edition print number embossed and signed by the artist. Print number consecutive of 40x50 prints.
Made in England.

VARIANTS:

The Scoop, Tower Bridge London | Impressionist Painting

The Scoop, Tower Bridge London | Impressionist Painting

from £150.00

Giclee Print Showcasing The Scoop and Tower Bridge | Landmark Gift Idea

Transform your space with our exclusive limited edition prints, masterfully painted with acrylic on canvas. These prints capture a breath-taking scene of The Scoop with the iconic Tower Bridge gracing the background.

Picture this: staff and tourists relaxing in the half-circle at The Scoop, savouring ice creams and enjoying their lunchtime delights.

Tower Bridge, a true engineering marvel, once the largest and most advanced bascule bridge of its era, dominates the backdrop. Its impressive bascules, powered by hydraulic mechanisms, lift gracefully to allow ships to pass.

Today, while still hydraulically powered, the bridge operates using oil and electricity. The original machinery, including the historic pumping engines and accumulators, remains preserved in the Bridge's Engine Room, a testament to its rich heritage.

Bring the majestic charm of London's skyline into your home or office. These stunning prints will elevate your décor, infusing your space with sophistication and timeless appeal. Don’t miss the opportunity to own a piece of London’s architectural grandeur. Enhance your walls and impress your guests with these captivating artworks. Order now and transform your environment with the elegance and allure of London!