Details

First Name

Dougie

Last Name

Harley

Username

dougie-harley

Website

http://www.dougieharley.com

Region

Edinburgh & The Lothians

Disciplines

Drawing, Illustration, Painting

Themes

Environment, Landscape

Statement

Statement

I am a dedicated nature artist, drawing inspiration from the beauty and intricacy of the natural world. My love for nature was sparked early, spending hours outdoors observing birds, animals, and landscapes. This deep connection fuels a desire to capture the essence of wildlife through my art.

My work goes beyond simple representation; it’s about evoking an emotional response and encouraging viewers to pause and appreciate the delicate beauty of nature. Through my art, I hope to inspire a greater awareness of the natural world and foster a sense of responsibility toward its preservation.

One of my most popular series explores the mesmerizing phenomenon of starling murmurations—where birds move as one, creating dynamic, fluid shapes in the sky. I find drawing murmurations like therapy. I can just ponder up at the sky for inspiration and to capture the movement of a Murmuration, I just let my imagination do the work. I never know what shape the Murmuration is going to take until I’ve finished – it often shifts and changes on the paper, a bit like the real thing.   Creating is a way of honouring nature’s quiet wonders while reminding us of its fragility. My work reflects both a personal passion and a call to others to reconnect with the environment.

Biography

Biography

Dougie Harley is a Scottish nature artist whose work draws from his deep love for wildlife and the natural world. Harley was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1985 and grew up in and around the historic village of Fettercairn at the foot of the Grampian mountains. His notable murmuration series, depicting starling flocks in mesmerizing, fluid formations, reflects his fascination with the harmony and movement found in the wild. Now based in Edinburgh, using a mixture of mediums Dougie’s work serves as a tribute to the beauty of nature and a reminder of its fragility, with a goal to inspire a deeper connection between people and the environment.

Selected Exhibitions:

  • From Sea to Land, Detail Gallery, 2024 (A joint exhibition with Sarah Bold)