I’m a visual artist based in the Highlands of Scotland.
At its heart, I’m interested in creating art that attempts to make sense of our wonderful and fragile existence. I often explore this through our relationship with nature, which in turn reveals the connection between our inner and outer worlds.
Here are some of the ever-evolving themes I explore within that context:
Light and Darkness | Folklore and Magic | Time | Journeys and Mapmaking | Organic and Geometric Patterns/Symbols | The Notion of a ‘Spectacle’ | Our Relationship with Technology.
My creative process combines elements such as hand built wooden frames, carefully cut out woodblock prints and miniature lights.
Through the multi-stage process of creating art, I find that my mind settles and, if I’m lucky, enters a state of flow.
This somehow helps me navigate and make more sense of our increasingly busy and somewhat distracted existence.
I often find creative inspiration from time spent in nature and journeys into the wilderness.
John Muir — “I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”
Growing up in Yorkshire, I spent many weekends exploring the Dales and the Lake District. Even when trekking with ridiculously heavy canvas tents in the Scouts, I loved the sense of adventure, which helped me establish a deep-rooted connection with wild places.
After studying for a Master of Arts in London, I found myself increasingly drawn further north. I am now based in Moray, Scotland, near the Cairngorm Mountains, where I draw endless inspiration from the natural world.
Over the last 20 years, I have primarily worked as a designer and creative storyteller in the media industry. I've honed my visual eye and been fortunate enough to win several awards along the way. Highlights include designing the opening title sequence for the much-loved BBC drama series Shetland, contributing to the Oscar-nominated documentary Virunga and creating a short film called ‘Wildless’ about rewilding.
In recent years, I have been quietly working away in my studio late into the evenings, gradually building an arts practice alongside my daytime creative work. I began sharing this art more widely in the summer of 2023.
As an artist, I strive to keep my environmental footprint as small as possible. I use non-toxic paint and wood glue, and I source paper from ethical suppliers. It’s an ongoing process, and I’m always looking for ways to further reduce my impact and waste. My current focus is on sourcing wood more locally.
To keep up-to-date, follow me on Instagram
Alternatively, for other enquiries or for commissions, please send me an Email
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A big thanks to Northport for the portrait photography.
© 2024 Jonny Charles Harris. The copyright of images and text used in this website remains with the artist. They may not be reproduced or redistributed, either in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the artist.