ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
KENT ARTIST PROFILE
JONATHAN HARRIET-BLACK
A TRUE CHAMPION OF KENT AND PASSIONATE ABOUT SEEKING OUT AND SHOWCASING THE COUNTY ’ S MOST STRIKING LANDSCAPES , JONATHAN USES HIS IMPRESSIVE EYE FOR VISUAL CREATIONS AND IMAGINATIVE DIGITAL SKILLS TO CREATE HIS TRULY UNIQUE WORKS .
Jonathan , please tell us more about your artist journey and background . I worked in graphic design for 30 years for a worldwide retail brand and as head of creative in charge of a large team of designers . When the pandemic hit , 155 stores worldwide closed and whole departments were swept away in a tide of redundancy . I knew it was only a matter of time before HR would catch up with me . They did . The next day I woke up and thought what shall I do ? I learned a key thing about myself : I never look back .
I had seen an exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum and bought the book , America ’ s Cool Modernism . I remember at the time really absorbing these artists ’ works . Artworks that looked like the future and were very graphic based . Your ideas always look totally different to the influences .
We love how you depict and showcase Kentish landscapes in your work ; tell us more about how Kent inspires your art . For a long time , I have been travelling around Kent with my camera . There are so many iconic buildings and beautiful spaces . Some have been overlooked because they do not fit the modern world we now live in . You have Rocksalt and the Grand Burstin opposite each other in Folkestone . Both very different in style and both iconic .
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Do you have a favourite landscape , place or town in Kent that inspires you ? I guess there are two places for very different reasons . Dungeness because there is something otherworldly about it ; I ’ ve just completed a Dungeness trilogy that I ’ m really happy with . Folkestone because I have seen the change over the last 10 years , from a really run down seaside resort to a vibrant town of art galleries , street food and amazing restaurants . Working with many artists has helped the town . Avril at after-art . co . uk has an excellent gallery ; I am proud to work with her - she ’ s a true spirit of the Folkestone regeneration .
What process do you undergo to create your art ; any techniques and skills you have developed throughout your time as an artist ? I work totally in the digital domain ; my mouse is my brush . I look through my photographs and try to let my imagination work out the elements . I only briefly use perspective , and shadow not at all . The eyes can see and the brain fills in the gaps . Somewhere along the line I noticed my work looked like the same hand . In the words of Swiss-German artist , Paul Klee ; “ He has found his style when he cannot do otherwise ”.
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Do you have a piece you ’ ve created that you ’ re particularly proud of ? Why ? Yes the Grand Burstin - because of my sad snobbery , I overlooked this iconic building , but it ’ s my best-selling artwork at present .
Anything else you would like our readers to know ? I love this quote from US gallery owner , Jayne H . Baum : “ The tools you use to create are irrelevant , only what you create is relevant .”
Where can we find / see / purchase your work ? www . after-art . co . uk & www . greenfinchshop . co . uk
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