One, two, three, four cyclists. 2016. J.Harms. 29x39cm. Acrylic on paper.
I came across a picture the other day, in one of my old memory cards. Four cyclists leaving Kilmartin, a Highland stop on a tour I took 2 years ago. It was at the time of the Referundum in Scotland, which explains the ‘yes’panel on the lamp post. The bright color jackets caught my eye and the process in which they departed. One after the other.
Le labyrinthe. 2016. J.Harms. 45x60cm. Acrylic on paper.
I seldom use maps when wandering around cities. Needless to say I have often lost myself. Around the castle, two hills stand out in Edinburgh, after climbing Arthur’s seat, I decided to go from there to Calton hill. So, keeping that hill in sight, I walked and walked, and found a small path going up. On my left, over the roofs, a labyrinth of streets.
Exit royal. 2016. J.Harms. 15x21cm. Acrylic on paper. (Private collection).
Edinburgh castle has many features which I enjoy painting. An elevated perspective, alcoves, unusual point of views, people wandering, and a layer of rich colors . The view from the castle, which I hope I’ll be painting soon, was extraordinary. This exit, which illustrates the end of my visit, opens on the enormous esplanade right infront of the castle. If you go straight on, it will lead you to the royal mile, another fine street.
L’Assemblée. 2016. J.Harms. 30x40cm. Acrylic on paper.
While visiting Edinburgh castle, I came across a group of very interested tourists, truly absorbed by their guide. I liked the cluster they formed around the knowledgeable kilted man.
La ville. 2016. J.Harms. 46×63 cm. Acrylic on paper.
All the layers of Edinburgh…
Le roi des elfes. 2016. J.Harms. 28,5x39cm. Acrylic on paper.
I was on the look out for a wool shop downtown Edinburgh. I had forgotten the exact address of the place, all I could remember was that it was situated on the northern part of the city, in a residential area, and since I had time on my hands, I just went, hoping somehow that I would encounter it along the way. That day I walked several hours, strolling along the streets, when I came across the king of the Elves…
Le château. 2016. J.Harms. 45x63cm. Acrylic on paper.
“The castle” stands proudly at the foot of the castle that stands proudly…
Le rond-point. 2016. J.Harms. 39 x 49,5cm. Acrylic on paper.
This is the second painting illustrating my trip, this past January, to Edinburgh. It depicts a street near the famous Victoria street. I was struck by the geometry of this particular scenery. Triangles, circles and rectangles. I read a short essay on Bauhaus recently, and for some reason this painting reminds me of the movement. The yellow sky is just how I remembered the atmosphere, in reality it was rather a grey and cloudy day.
Along the loch. 2016. J.Harms. 19×25 cm. Acrylic on paper.
While currently working on a serie of paintings illustrating my last trip to Edinburgh, I came across this old picture of a tour of Scotland I had gone on a couple years ago. One of our first stops outside from Glasgow was at a small place called Luss on the shores of loch Lomond. For some reason, I had completely forgotten about this particular shot. While browsing through one of my old memory cards, I was drawn by the variation of greens in the background foliage in this scene. I often shy away from painting nature, I can never really grasp the lines. In this painting however, I think I didn’t do too bad.
Le pignon orange. 2016. J.Harms. 29x39cm. Acrylic on paper.
I have had the chance to wander through the streets of Edinburgh this past January. The city inspired me very much, and I must say that I couldn’t wait to paint it. After spending some time walking on Calton hill, I spotted this very colorful house down the hill. The deep and bright orange stood out boldly in the surrounding blacks and browns.
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