Water is calming and inspirational,” says East Finchley artist Louisa Albani.

Her latest water-themed art works, inspired by London’s inland waterways and canals, are exhibited at Bow Open Studios and the Espacio Gallery next month.

Her previous anthology was inspired by the Cornish countryside, but she couldn’t keep returning to the region and had to find inspiration within London’s urban environment.

She found it in the barge-dwellers, wildlife and towpath users in areas such as Camden Town, Regent’s Park, Bow and Mile End.

“There are still traces of the past.

“Some of these places are quite mysterious and quite deserted,” she says.

“I think we all need water, not just to drink, it’s really important within the confinements of a city because it’s a window of countryside in the urban environment.”

She exhibits at the Espacio in Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch as part of the Islington Art Society’s summer exhibition which showcases work by artists living in and around Islington.

The second display is part of Bow Open Studios which will also have live music, pop-up food stalls, an arts market, bars and workshops over the weekend.

Bow Open Studios:

June 17 6pm-10pm and June 18 1pm-7pm

Bow Arts Trust, 183 Bow Road, E3 2SJ

Espacio Gallery:

IAS Summer Exhibition June 13-19 (with Islington Art Society)

159 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E2 7DG.