Some artists paint what they see. Others paint what they feel. And then there are artists like Harriet Butler, who transform the overlooked, everyday moments of life into vibrant, story-filled works of art that resonate with almost everyone who sees them. With a signature style of bold, arresting colors and intimate scenes, her paintings draw viewers into moments they may have lived themselves, even if only in memory.
Now featured on Artcast, Harriet’s work invites us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the beauty in life’s quiet spaces.
From Wolverhampton to Manchester – A Creative Journey
Originally from Wolverhampton in England’s Midlands, Harriet now calls Manchester home. Her artistic path began at Liverpool John Moores University, where she studied Fine Art. University life opened the door to experimenting with different mediums, but it was painting that ultimately captured her heart.
When she graduated, the world was in lockdown, a challenging time, but also one that offered space to focus on her craft. “It was a slow but exciting journey,” she recalls. “I had all the time in the world to develop my practice.”
Finding a Voice Through Storytelling and Color
Like many artists, Harriet didn’t discover her style overnight. “It took me a good two years of creating some horrendous pieces,” she admits with a laugh. But each misstep brought her closer to the voice she has today.
Initially inspired by music, her focus eventually shifted to storytelling – capturing intimate, relatable moments that speak to shared human experiences. In her current body of work, she uses loud, bold colors to pull the viewer in, then offers a scene of quiet simplicity that feels almost familiar.
“I want people to look at one of my paintings and feel like they’ve lived in that moment in some way or another,” she explains.
A Piece That Started It All – ‘Just a Girl and Her Boy Dog’
The turning point came with Just a Girl and Her Boy Dog, the first in her ongoing ‘On the Balcony’ series. The painting shows a young woman, newly arrived in a city, finding stillness and comfort in the company of her dog. Without words, the scene conveys companionship, grounding, and emotional completeness.
For Harriet, the work is deeply personal. “I find this one most relatable as someone who has moved cities and started a new life somewhere,” she says. The piece resonated widely online, reaching a large audience and marking a significant moment in her career.
That’s when she realized she wanted to bring still and simple moments – the kind we often overlook – into focus, helping herself and others appreciate them more. Many people, she believes, can relate to those kinds of moments.
Art with a Purpose in Today’s World
In a fast-paced and often overwhelming cultural landscape, Harriet sees her role as an artist as one of slowing things down. Her paintings invite mindfulness and connection, offering viewers a moment to pause and appreciate beauty in simplicity.
“Through my abstract paintings, I aim to create a space where people can pause, reflect, and find beauty in everyday experiences.” she says.
Words of Wisdom for Emerging Artists
Her advice for artists hoping to turn their passion into a career is straightforward but powerful:
• Document everything and share it online — it’s a free global gallery.
• Engage with other creatives and be part of the community.
• Attend shows and keep creating, even if you don’t love every piece.
“Putting art out into the world is better than not at all,” she encourages.
What’s Next – A Balcony Series and a Bold Exhibition
Currently, Harriet is working on her new collection set entirely on balconies, with each of the planned 15 paintings capturing a moment in time from a balcony setting. The series explores themes of solitude, companionship, loneliness, and loss. She has already completed four works and is planning an exhibition that will showcase them in a way she’s never done before.
Discover Harriet on Artcast
Through her work, Harriet reminds us that even the smallest, quietest moments can be worth celebrating. Explore her full collection, now streaming on Artcast, and see how her vibrant colors and storytelling brushstrokes bring life’s overlooked scenes into focus.
Website: https://www.harrietbutlerdesigns.com/
Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/harrietbtlrdesigns/
TikTok profile: https://www.tiktok.com/@harrietbtlr
