Stephen Howard Harrison

Joined Artfinder: Sept. 2013

Artworks for sale: 285

(28)

United Kingdom

About Stephen Howard Harrison

 
 
  • Biography
    Artist - Painter - Living in Scotland.

    I attended Edinburgh College of Art where I obtained a BA in Drawing And Painting and also a Certificate in Post Graduate Studies in Drawing and Painting. 

    I paint with artist's oil paint on canvas and sometimes on prepared board. I am interested in combining post impressionism with expressionism. I find ideas for paintings just by going about my everyday life and keeping on the lookout for good views or scenes that I feel would make a good painting. I never find it difficult to find subject matter. However, I spend a lot of attention on choosing views I want to paint. This process is helped by getting to know a place very well over a period of time. I like to work on compositions that I feel capture the essence of the place so that I can express what I want to say about it.

    The great thing about having original paintings in the home is that you get to live with them, to see them in different light, or in different moods. To find oneself looking at them by chance, or deliberately. It is very different than seeing them on line or in a gallery or a publication or reproduction. 

    I like to make paintings that reach out into the space of the room in which they are placed.

    It is the sense of positivity that I get from painting that inspires me to continue. Painting makes me feel good, especially when it goes well. I hope that is communicated in my work.

    I feel that being a painter is very like being in a relationship - but with painting itself. The relationship has a life of its own. I like to follow where it leads me. Ideas for paintings lead on to further ideas and so on. 

    I find it very rewarding to know that many of my paintings are in private collections all over the world. I very much appreciate it when someone feels strongly enough about my painting to make a purchase.

    My practice is informed in part by an immersion in the study of the works of successful artists. It comes from a great love of painting that stems from when I was very young. 

    As one gets older, inevitably one becomes more analytical. I think about the formal aspects of painting. I love many paintings by abstract artists too, and of course I too have experimented in such a field. It is the infinite variety that I find in nature, in landscape for example, that protects me from repeating myself.

    My method is to follow my instincts. For example, I become aware of a desire to make a painting based on a particular scene or place, and I hold that thought, and then act upon it. I feel it is important to listen out for that desire within myself, and  just get on and do the painting.

    A family friend, an artist, once said to me about painting, and perhaps about life itself  ‘It is all a great mystery’. I often think of those words. I have no objection to being reasonably articulate about one's practice, and also be reasonably informed about what is going on, and I feel I will not disappoint anyone who seeks to analyse how I think. But a key point, it seems to me, about painting is that it is not words. My practice is about exploring the space that is mysterious.



  • Links

    Like me on Facebook

    Follow me on Instagram

    Visit my website

  • Education

    1977 - 1981

    Edinburgh College Of Art

  • Awards

    1979

    Stowells trophy

    In 1979 I was 'Highly Commended' in the Stowells Painting Competition when my painting created at Edinburgh College Of Art in 1979 was included in the exhibition of Student work from around the UK. I received a medal from Sir Hugh Casson at the Royal Academy in London.
  • Upcoming Events

    There are no upcoming events

    Show previous events Hide previous events

    Previous events

    Event: Aberdeen Artists Society's Exhibition

    Dates: 16 Apr 2022 - 3 Jul 2022

    Venue: Aberdeen Art Gallery, Aberdeen

    The Aberdeen Artists Society's 2022 Exhibition in Aberdeen Art Gallery. One of my paintings, 'St Monans Harbour, Fife' included in the exhibition.

    Event: People Places Perspectives

    Dates: 7 Oct 2021 - 13 Nov 2021

    Venue: Colinton Arts, Edinburgh

    Group show with two other Edinburgh based artists.

    Event: ABERDEEN ARTISTS SOCIETY ONLINE 2021 SUMMER EXHIBITION

    Dates: 12 Jun 2021 - 29 Aug 2021

    Venue: Aberdeen Artists Society, Aberdeen

    INCLUDED IN THE ABERDEEN ARTISTS SOCIETY ONLINE 2021 SUMMER EXHIBITION - 11TH JUNE TO 29TH AUGUST 2021
    ​(ONE PAINTING INCLUDED)

    Event: 30x30 Online Edition

    Dates: 26 Nov 2020 - 20 Dec 2020

    Venue: Society Of Scottish Artists, Edinburgh

    Members group show comprising one work measuring no more than 30x30cm.

    Event: Festival Exhibition

    Dates: 3 Aug 2019 - 11 Aug 2019

    Venue: Pittenweem Arts Festival, Pittenweem, Fife, Scotland

    Solo exhibition of my work at one of the many venues that make up this Festival

    Event: The Royal Scottish Academy Open Exhibition 2018

    Dates: 23 Jun 2018 - 25 Jul 2018

    Venue: The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL

    Pleased to have a painting "The Waverley Station, Edinburgh, Winter' included in this years Open Exhibition : Saturday 23 June - Wednesday 25 July 2018.

    Event: Stephen Howard Harrison - Recent Paintings

    Dates: 16 Dec 2016 - 21 Dec 2016

    Venue: Dundas Street Gallery, Edinburgh

    I will be having a solo exhibition in the excellent Dundas Street Gallery, edinburgh in the run up to Xmas this year. New work (oil paintings on canvas) will be available along with framed prints.

    Event: Festival Exhibition

    Dates: 5 Aug 2016 - 10 Aug 2016

    Venue: Dundas Street Gallery, Edinburgh

    I will be exhibiting my paintings during the Edinburgh International Arts Festival in 2016. The exhibition will be open from 5th to 10th August inclusive.

    Event: From Edinburgh To Fife - Paintings by Stephen Howard Harrison

    Dates: 20 Feb 2015 - 24 Feb 2015

    Venue: Dundas Street Gallery, Edinburgh

    This will be an exhibition of many of my paintings completed since 2013. It is in a very good gallery in the heart of Edinburgh's Art Gallery district.

    Event: East Neuk Open Studios

    Dates: 11 Oct 2014 - 19 Oct 2014

    Venue: Stephen Howard Harrison's studio, Cellardyke - KY10 3HU

    East Neuk Open Studios is a twice-yearly Art Trail taking in over 35 artist and designer studios throughout this beautiful corner of Fife.

    I will be opening my studio to the public as part of this and many of my painting and prints will be on view and for sale.

    October 11-12th and 18 -19th, 10.30am to 4.30pm

    Event: Open Exhibition 2013

    Dates: 23 Nov 2013 - 26 Jan 2014

    Venue: The Royal Scottish Academy, The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL

    An open exhibition for artists predominantly working in Scotland at the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy galleries on Princes Street, Edinburgh. My painting called 'Edinburgh Skaters' is included. The exhibition is free and runs from 23 November 2013 - 26 January 2014.

Links

Like me on Facebook

Follow me on Instagram

Visit my website

Education

1977 - 1981

Edinburgh College Of Art

Awards

1979

Stowells trophy

In 1979 I was 'Highly Commended' in the Stowells Painting Competition when my painting created at Edinburgh College Of Art in 1979 was included in the exhibition of Student work from around the UK. I received a medal from Sir Hugh Casson at the Royal Academy in London.

There are no upcoming events

Show previous events Hide previous events

Previous events

Event: Aberdeen Artists Society's Exhibition

Dates: 16 Apr 2022 - 3 Jul 2022

Venue: Aberdeen Art Gallery, Aberdeen

The Aberdeen Artists Society's 2022 Exhibition in Aberdeen Art Gallery. One of my paintings, 'St Monans Harbour, Fife' included in the exhibition.

Event: People Places Perspectives

Dates: 7 Oct 2021 - 13 Nov 2021

Venue: Colinton Arts, Edinburgh

Group show with two other Edinburgh based artists.

Event: ABERDEEN ARTISTS SOCIETY ONLINE 2021 SUMMER EXHIBITION

Dates: 12 Jun 2021 - 29 Aug 2021

Venue: Aberdeen Artists Society, Aberdeen

INCLUDED IN THE ABERDEEN ARTISTS SOCIETY ONLINE 2021 SUMMER EXHIBITION - 11TH JUNE TO 29TH AUGUST 2021
​(ONE PAINTING INCLUDED)

Event: 30x30 Online Edition

Dates: 26 Nov 2020 - 20 Dec 2020

Venue: Society Of Scottish Artists, Edinburgh

Members group show comprising one work measuring no more than 30x30cm.

Event: Festival Exhibition

Dates: 3 Aug 2019 - 11 Aug 2019

Venue: Pittenweem Arts Festival, Pittenweem, Fife, Scotland

Solo exhibition of my work at one of the many venues that make up this Festival

Event: The Royal Scottish Academy Open Exhibition 2018

Dates: 23 Jun 2018 - 25 Jul 2018

Venue: The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL

Pleased to have a painting "The Waverley Station, Edinburgh, Winter' included in this years Open Exhibition : Saturday 23 June - Wednesday 25 July 2018.

Event: Stephen Howard Harrison - Recent Paintings

Dates: 16 Dec 2016 - 21 Dec 2016

Venue: Dundas Street Gallery, Edinburgh

I will be having a solo exhibition in the excellent Dundas Street Gallery, edinburgh in the run up to Xmas this year. New work (oil paintings on canvas) will be available along with framed prints.

Event: Festival Exhibition

Dates: 5 Aug 2016 - 10 Aug 2016

Venue: Dundas Street Gallery, Edinburgh

I will be exhibiting my paintings during the Edinburgh International Arts Festival in 2016. The exhibition will be open from 5th to 10th August inclusive.

Event: From Edinburgh To Fife - Paintings by Stephen Howard Harrison

Dates: 20 Feb 2015 - 24 Feb 2015

Venue: Dundas Street Gallery, Edinburgh

This will be an exhibition of many of my paintings completed since 2013. It is in a very good gallery in the heart of Edinburgh's Art Gallery district.

Event: East Neuk Open Studios

Dates: 11 Oct 2014 - 19 Oct 2014

Venue: Stephen Howard Harrison's studio, Cellardyke - KY10 3HU

East Neuk Open Studios is a twice-yearly Art Trail taking in over 35 artist and designer studios throughout this beautiful corner of Fife.

I will be opening my studio to the public as part of this and many of my painting and prints will be on view and for sale.

October 11-12th and 18 -19th, 10.30am to 4.30pm

Event: Open Exhibition 2013

Dates: 23 Nov 2013 - 26 Jan 2014

Venue: The Royal Scottish Academy, The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL

An open exhibition for artists predominantly working in Scotland at the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy galleries on Princes Street, Edinburgh. My painting called 'Edinburgh Skaters' is included. The exhibition is free and runs from 23 November 2013 - 26 January 2014.

 

Biography

Artist - Painter - Living in Scotland.

I attended Edinburgh College of Art where I obtained a BA in Drawing And Painting and also a Certificate in Post Graduate Studies in Drawing and Painting. 

I paint with artist's oil paint on canvas and sometimes on prepared board. I am interested in combining post impressionism with expressionism. I find ideas for paintings just by going about my everyday life and keeping on the lookout for good views or scenes that I feel would make a good painting. I never find it difficult to find subject matter. However, I spend a lot of attention on choosing views I want to paint. This process is helped by getting to know a place very well over a period of time. I like to work on compositions that I feel capture the essence of the place so that I can express what I want to say about it.

The great thing about having original paintings in the home is that you get to live with them, to see them in different light, or in different moods. To find oneself looking at them by chance, or deliberately. It is very different than seeing them on line or in a gallery or a publication or reproduction. 

I like to make paintings that reach out into the space of the room in which they are placed.

It is the sense of positivity that I get from painting that inspires me to continue. Painting makes me feel good, especially when it goes well. I hope that is communicated in my work.

I feel that being a painter is very like being in a relationship - but with painting itself. The relationship has a life of its own. I like to follow where it leads me. Ideas for paintings lead on to further ideas and so on. 

I find it very rewarding to know that many of my paintings are in private collections all over the world. I very much appreciate it when someone feels strongly enough about my painting to make a purchase.

My practice is informed in part by an immersion in the study of the works of successful artists. It comes from a great love of painting that stems from when I was very young. 

As one gets older, inevitably one becomes more analytical. I think about the formal aspects of painting. I love many paintings by abstract artists too, and of course I too have experimented in such a field. It is the infinite variety that I find in nature, in landscape for example, that protects me from repeating myself.

My method is to follow my instincts. For example, I become aware of a desire to make a painting based on a particular scene or place, and I hold that thought, and then act upon it. I feel it is important to listen out for that desire within myself, and  just get on and do the painting.

A family friend, an artist, once said to me about painting, and perhaps about life itself  ‘It is all a great mystery’. I often think of those words. I have no objection to being reasonably articulate about one's practice, and also be reasonably informed about what is going on, and I feel I will not disappoint anyone who seeks to analyse how I think. But a key point, it seems to me, about painting is that it is not words. My practice is about exploring the space that is mysterious.



 
 
 

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