Formal art education didn’t start for James until he started college in 1975. The only classes available to him in high school were commercial art, which he dropped out of early. In college he was lucky enough to be instructed by a Old Masters Instuctor from Europe who made him do nothing but study the fundamentals of art and draw every day for over two and a half years before he could start painting. His painting beginnings were boiling his own gesso with rabbit skin glue and lead white, using powdered pigment with egg oil emulsions, and glazing techniques.
Color opened a new and wonderful world for James. He did very large paintings for awhile, throwing and brushing on oil paint from quart cans. After earning his BFA in Painting from Arizona State University, James continued his studies with Master artists at the nationally famous Scottsdale Art School; James has now been teaching there for over 8 years. He also traveled to workshops around the country until he finally started learning the discipline that comes only from working directly from "Nature" and the joy felt by being outdoors.
The love for the outdoors originated from a boyhood of camping, fishing, and hunting and it was that love that moved him toward “Plein Air” Landscape Painting. This soon led to his outdoor painting material business. He couldn't find what he thought he needed so he made it himself. Belgian Linen Painting Panels, Wet Panel Boxes, and he even invented the "Coulter Plein Air System" for painting outdoors.
He was initially influenced by Edgar Payne and the California Impressionists. His work could be considered Impressionism/Realism.
James wasn’t looking for any easy painting formulas or quick money making answers. He never wanted his work to look like someone else's or to be just "pretty". It was always something deep inside, a feeling about life and the urge to say something visually about it. Something that could be felt by the viewer. He loved each step in the process of making his art, no matter the frustrations and pain that one can experience along the way. It was something sacred to him and he wasn't afraid to work hard to master all the many aspects of painting. He soon decided to sell all his belongings and moved into a small travel trailer. He traveled full time throughout the Southwest and a few times to the east coast as well. For years he has painted on location at many of the most inspirational spots in the world. James still goes on extended painting expeditions with his truck and camper. He now operates from his studio located on a high cliff overlooking a beautiful river valley just outside of Phoenix.
Life and art have long merged into one for James. His priorities are now based on the enjoyment and challenge that comes from chasing a passion. It is that continuous search for inspiration in art and life that keeps James going. |
