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Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The colourful houses in downtown St. John's are often referred to as Jellybean Row, their bright facades standing out against the grey Atlantic weather that often dominates.
The houses weren't always this vibrant. The tradition of painting them in bold colours — reds, yellows, blues, greens — developed partly from practical necessity (using whatever paint was available from ships) and partly from a desire to brighten the long winters. Whatever the origin, the result is streets that feel like walking through a paint box.
I photographed Jellybean Row on a stunning day, which turned out to be ideal. Bright sun let the colours speak and complimented the sky. The houses practically glow against the blue, each one distinct yet contributing to the overall composition.
What makes this image work is the repetition with variation — similar shapes, different colours, the rhythm of doors and windows creating a pattern that's pleasing to the eye. Vernacular architecture at its most charming, ordinary houses transformed into something else entirely through the simple decision to use colour boldly.
St. John's has accepted Jellybean Row as part of its identity, and rightly so. In a world of beige suburbs and grey commercial strips, this commitment to colour feels like a statement of joy.
Limited edition Chromaluxe metal print. Ultra gloss finish maximizes the vibrancy of the painted facades.
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The colourful houses in downtown St. John's are often referred to as Jellybean Row, their bright facades standing out against the grey Atlantic weather that often dominates.
The houses weren't always this vibrant. The tradition of painting them in bold colours — reds, yellows, blues, greens — developed partly from practical necessity (using whatever paint was available from ships) and partly from a desire to brighten the long winters. Whatever the origin, the result is streets that feel like walking through a paint box.
I photographed Jellybean Row on a stunning day, which turned out to be ideal. Bright sun let the colours speak and complimented the sky. The houses practically glow against the blue, each one distinct yet contributing to the overall composition.
What makes this image work is the repetition with variation — similar shapes, different colours, the rhythm of doors and windows creating a pattern that's pleasing to the eye. Vernacular architecture at its most charming, ordinary houses transformed into something else entirely through the simple decision to use colour boldly.
St. John's has accepted Jellybean Row as part of its identity, and rightly so. In a world of beige suburbs and grey commercial strips, this commitment to colour feels like a statement of joy.
Limited edition Chromaluxe metal print. Ultra gloss finish maximizes the vibrancy of the painted facades.
