Jim is best known for his depiction of Newcastle's buildings and bridges. His Newcastle cityscapes are some of the most recognisable art to come out of the region in recent years.

His work falls into two genres, contemporary cityscapes and abstract paintings inspired by manmade forms and buildings. Edward's cityscape paintings are not studies from life, nor is he trying to capture a particular viewpoint or moment in time. His paintings have their origin in memory, how he remembers the workings and landmarks of the city, rather than a straight forward representation.

The personal impression of cityscapes often runs into his more abstract work, where the block shapes he paints represent man made forms, rooms and human spaces. These combine with connecting lines, suggesting marks within a landscape, pathways linking separate contructs