It is almost ten years since Jamie Primrose became a professional artist in 2003. It is a tough market with many talented landscape painters exhibiting their work in Scottish galleries. But Primrose has developed a distinctive style to capture the ever-changing light around a city or rural scene, season by season, which focuses on a true sense of place.
In this new exhibition, Transient Skies, what comes over clearly is a passion for his home city of Edinburgh, the streets of Stockbridge, public parks and the Water of Leith. Working in oils, the colour can shift between a bright and vibrant sky by day, to a dark moody atmosphere at dusk.
There are several, contrasting views of Blackford Hill and the Pentlands whether against a shimmering Turner-esque sky, or soft winter sunset. Another stunning scene is Inverleith Park which illuminates the cool Autumn sun slanting through the trees.
The beauty – and popularity – of Jamie’s paintings is that Edinburgh residents will recognise favourite places, whether around the Royal Botanic Garden or the Meadows.
Primrose also creates monochrome drawings using a fine brush dipped in Indian inks. This medium is perfect for detailed sketches of the Georgian townhouses and grand crescents of the classic architecture around the New Town. The result is akin to the style of an etching, with unique texture and painterly precision.
Private commissions are welcome - he has built up a large portfolio of paintings depicting his clients’ own house or street.
Following on from being a finalist in the Jolomo landscape painting Award in 2007, media attention has placed him in the limelight as a fine young artist.
This exhibition offers 50 new Edinburgh landscapes and selection of Limited Prints; you may also meet Jamie Primrose who can chat about his work at the Dundas Street gallery.
Transient Skies - 15 June to 23 June, 2012. Mon-Fri, 11am - 7pm. Sat/Sun - 11 - 5pm.