Studio Visit: A Day in the life of Harry MC at his Bath Studio

In the heart of Bath, nestled amongst the grand Georgian terraces and cobbled streets lies the studio of Harry MC, housed in a four-storey townhouse built in 1765. From the moment you step through the front door, the visitor is greeted not only by the palpable weight of history but by an almost tangible sense of creative energy.

 The house is both a space for creation and a gallery, several of Harry’s  striking large-scale works on display.  The front door, almost always open, invites tourists and visitors from around the world to wander in, as they stumble upon this hidden treasure of contemporary art.  

Today, I am privileged to observe Harry at work, and the experience feels almost like a pilgrimage to a modern-day studio akin to those of the greats—Cézanne’s at Aix-en-Provence comes to mind, with its rawness and its vitality. Harry is casually dressed and moves around the canvas with a confidence that belies the improvisational nature of his work. His approach is fluid, almost primal in its freedom, using broad, sweeping strokes of oil paint applied with a large brush. 

There is no clear roadmap, no planned design—just a single stripe added at a time, the decision to lay down another stroke driven by a sensibility as much as calculation. Harry paints with the same sense of playfulness he’s always had, yet the works that emerge from his canvases carry the weight of experience.  

As I watch, I am drawn not only to Harry's technique but to the fascinating way in which the studio environment mirrors his artistic philosophy. Much like his work, the studio feels like an evolving organism, one that welcomes serendipity and embraces the fluidity of space and time. The walls are lined with works in various stages—some still unfinished. This is a space where art is made without pretension and where discovery happens organically.  

The energy in the room is almost infectious; you can sense the presence of those who have walked through these doors before—curators, collectors, even casual passersby who have become captivated by the work. And yet, despite the openness of the space and the occasional interruption from curious tourists, there is an undeniable intimacy to Harry's process. He does not paint for an audience, but for the sake of creation itself.

 As I leave, I’m left with the unmistakable feeling that I’ve witnessed something rare: an artist at the height of his powers, working in a space that is as much a part of the artwork as the stripes on the canvas. Harry’s studio is not just a sanctuary for his creativity—it is a testament to the ongoing, dynamic evolution of an artist who, after decades of practice, continues to explore the limitless potential of his craft.