Sketchbook: Royal Academy Summer Exhibit

Last month I spent several days in London, where I had the good fortune to attend the Royal Academy Summer Exhibit. What makes this show unique is it is so eclectic, with world famous and unknown artists shown side by side (& above and below). The exhibit is open to anyone who applies.  If you saw Mike Leigh’s 2014 film, Mr. Turner, you’ll recall the showdown scene from this very exhibit, when the painters J.M.W. Turner and John Constable participate in one of the Royal Academy’s famous traditions: Varnishing Day, in which artists add final touches to their work in situ.