Yearly self-portrait au carré. 2019. J.Harms.
Another year another portrait. This one is me sitting on my « carpet studio » looking at my reflexion in a mirror. At the back a glimpse of the window overlooking a cherry tree. My work as a decorative painter has been thriving, and sadly my paintings have been few and far between as a consequence. Three so far this year isn’t much. Yet there are so many things I need to paint.
Yearly self-portrait with noren. 2018. J. Harms. 29x39cm. Acrylic on red paper.
This year’s portrait was more difficult to paint than the previous years. I painted and discarded several before finally painting this one. Ten years ago, almost to the day, I left France to go to Japan, where I lived and worked for a year and a half.
It was a tough yet rewarding and meaningful experience. It was there that I found my artistic language among the many colors and lines of the cityscape of Nagasaki.
While living there, I got to witness traditional holidays, and seasonal events. I also visited craft shops, I began collecting art too, and sent home many things, like this noren, a detail of which I painted in the background. It now hangs in my bedroom.
La place du fort sous la neige. 2018. J.Harms. 29 x 39 cm. Acrylic on red paper.
I love snowscapes, so when my village got heavily covered in snow a couple weeks ago, I immediately went out to take pictures. I wanted to paint it. Not many people were out and about, but a couple foot prints on the Place du fort, one of the two village squares, were proof that another soul had been here possibly pulling a two-wheeled cart of some kind.
Sur le lac. The 6th continent. n°11. 2017. J.Harms. Acrylic on paper. 10x15cm.
The wanderer took shelter from the storm among the rocks that hold the Color Compass. There are boats on the shore. He borrows one and slowly rows towards the South.
November or Lili in the Garden. 2017. J.Harms. 29x39cm Acrylic on paper.
This is a view from my studio/bedroom. It’s late afternoon, the light is poor, but the flamboyant color of the dogwood is quite eye-catching, it brings a vibrant touch to this murky November day. Lili, my cousin’s daughter, is not afraid of the gloomy weather, she’s out and about doing what children like doing.
Leap of faith. 2017. J.Harms. 29x39cm. Acrylic on paper.
Once a year, around Fall, old churches in the neighbouring villages, mostly closed during the year, open their doors to visitors. So once a year, with family or friends, I drive around the fields of Picardie in search of these little gems.
Notre Dame du Lieu-Restauré is one of those. Walking around the ruins of the old monastery, I see children playing on the rubble. I take a picture thinking I could make something out of it. Later while checking the picture on my camera, I realise there is another interesting feature. A statue of a buddha, someone had put there. Bang ! I had a narrative !
La méditation. 2017. J.Harms. 29x39cm. Acrylic on paper.
In Andernos, walking along the pier, a February sun bathing all those wandering by, a woman sits and meditates.
Tree House 2. 2017. J.Harms. Acrylic on paper. 50 x 40 cm.
On a bright sunny day, I was wandering around the streets of Andernos, when I saw this colorful little house sitting on the shadow of a tree.
Arbres sur l’Herbe. 2017. J.Harms. Acylic on papier. 29x39cm.
L’Herbe is a small village of the Cap Ferret practically on the sea. My friend and I stopped by this tiny fishermen’s dwelling while driving back to Andernos. Makeshift houses, all painted various colours, create a very picturesque scenery. The sandy pathways around the little homes were pretty desert, except for a couple well fed dogs probably waiting for their owners to come back from their fishing.
Le concert à l’américaine. 2017. J.Harms. Acrylic on paper. 40,5×50,5cm. (Private collection.)
Every year my village organizes a party to celebrate Bastille day. A band of French cowboys came over to sing a few songs.
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