the artist

Thomas MacGregor is a portrait and landscape painter whose work weaves together personal history, community, and the politics of place. A lifelong resident of East London, he captures the people and surroundings of Waltham Forest with sensitivity and insight. Alongside his practice, Thomas works in horticultural therapy, an influence that deepens his connection to nature and regeneration. His paintings bridge local observation and global reflection, exploring how stories of everyday life resonate within broader social and artistic contexts.

the story

Thomas often cycles through Leyton and Hackney Marshes, sometimes accompanied by his dog, following the River Lea. The poplars – his favourite trees – rise with quiet majesty amid pylons, railway lines, and the hum of the A12, their forms echoing the grace of a Gainsborough landscape. During lockdown, the marshes became a magnet for young people seeking freedom and open air. Beneath their roots lie underground springs and remnants of Roman waterways – a reminder that even in the city’s margins, history, nature, and life continue to intertwine.

the artwork

This is an original oil painting on canvas, framed in a off-white solid wood tray frame measuring 28 x 25 cm.

delivery

There is an additional packaging & postage charge of £20 for the artwork. The artwork is free to collect from our Walthamstow gallery.