Self-taught artist Nicholas Silk never imagined, when he was studying Arabic at Durham University in his native Britain, that he would wind up as a professional artist in Bermuda.Shortly after arriving from the UK in 1996, the young man whose mother is Bermudian was encouraged to show his work for the first time. So well was it received that, in less than a year, he had some of it published commercially in print form.By any standard, it was a pretty impressive beginning for the university graduate, whose sights were originally set on “some sort of career” in the Middle East.What, then, brought about the dramatic career change which eventually led to him becoming a professional artist? “Although I had done pastels and sketches before, Bermuda was the catalyst to start painting,” Mr Silk said.“It was not what I planned originally, but I think the artistic side was always within me, and Bermuda just helped it to flourish.”In terms of exhibiting his work, Mr Silk credits fellow artist Eloise Furbert’s initial encouragement with getting him started on the path to a full-time career.“Eloise was the one who saw my work early on and offered me a show with her,” he said. “After that, I became a regular exhibitor at Jay Bluck’s Heritage House, the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard, and the Bermuda Society of Arts. I think now is the time that I am really committed to a career as a professional artist.”Indeed, being invited to hold his very first solo exhibition at Windjammer II is surely proof positive that Mr. Silk has “arrived”, because the elegant Fairmont Hamilton Princess-based gallery confines its focus to professional artists.Recalling the moment when Windjammer II’s owner Sheilagh Head herself a professional artist offered him a solo show, Mr Silk said: “It was a very exciting opportunity, because Sheilagh is very nurturing of the artists she represents. Together with gallery manager Danjou Anderson, they have great panache and are very supportive, which is important because it helps you to grow as an artist.”Those familiar with his earlier work will quickly discern just how much the artist has grown. Whereas his former paintings were mainly small, and gouache (opaque watercolour) was his medium, the approximately ten pieces in his solo show are not only significantly larger, but also include line and wash drawings as well as gouache.“With this show I have tried to push myself and develop in terms of the range of paintings and the size, which I find stimulating,” Mr Silk said. “This time I have tried quite large-sized paintings, with a slight variation of different techniques, such as using acrylic under-painting to build up layers, while also leaving some showing through as well.As always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in choosing ‘Nature and Harmony’ as the title of his show, Mr. Silk reveals a refreshing fascination with the interplay between nature and Bermuda’s traditional architecture.While many regard derelict buildings as blots on the landscape, Mr Silk sees only “an impressive dignity” in their decay and nature’s reclamation. His painting of a cottage on Radnor Road is a case in point.“The cottage is in glorious decay, and has a very great dignity as it returns to nature,” he says. “The paint is peeling; foliage and trees are literally growing out of the walls; and the roof is starting to buckle. As it is dying the cottage has such power and dignity, so it is the relationship which nature has with Bermuda architecture that inspires me to paint.”Similarly, the combination of so many architectural gems, their texture, the play of light upon them at various times of the day, and the overall sense of serenity in the narrow lanes of St George’s, is why Mr Silk finds himself drawn time and again to Bermuda’s world heritage site.“I love to paint the unique way the buildings present themselves to the street, or a lane where their front and back can be on the same lane but are not all uniform. The lanes are all different“My main aim is to capture the light, and the incredible texture that you get, especially on the older houses in St George’s,” he said. “The build-up of paint and texture is exciting to capture. There are certain times of day when you go there to paint because you know which light and cast shadow you are going to have. For example, the painting of ‘Samaritans’ Cottages’ was done in the morning, so the building is almost backlit.“Then there is the overall serenity of the St George’s scenery. When you wander around, there is a great poise and serenity about the buildings, which is very relaxing and restful. If you are having a block and finding it difficult to paint, it never fails to inspire you.”The artist also has a great fondness for local flora, and is particularly fascinated by the positioning of palm, banana and pawpaw trees on different properties. As with any profession where observation is key, the quietly charming Mr Silk likens his keen blue eyes to a camera “the shutter is always open” which provide his motivation for painting.“There is always something to see, and see again, and see with fresh eyes. You never have time off really. You are always observing, and looking, and seeing things which perhaps other people don’t see, because that is your privilege as an artist to have that experience, and then to try and bring what you feel to people to enjoy.”Following tomorrow’s invitation-only opening, ‘Nature and Harmony’ opens to the public on Thursday and closes on October 28. For gallery hours/further information see today’s Bermuda Calendar. Mr Silk’s e-mail address is: silk[AT]northrock.bm.