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From James:
I have always been involved in the arts as a portrait artist (oil on canvas and graphite, carbon and charcoal) and a musician.

After retiring from Medical Sales and as a business owner, I find that a wife, 3 daughters, 4 dogs, 6 horses and my art keep me pretty busy. I have been drawing for as long as I can remember which I believe was in 1968.

I have always had a fascination with the human face and portraiture quickly became my main focus in drawing. I can remember picking up TV guides and drawing the front covers of any person that happen to be on it.

In my late 30’s my wife suggested oil painting. Colors were a completely new concept and I wasn’t sure that it would be a medium that I could partner with easily. After researching a few guides on color mixing, I went to the local art supply house and bought what I needed to get started. After the first painting, it felt quite natural to me and have been painting ever since.

I guess the greatest downside to being a portrait artist, is that it is hard to build a portfolio when most of your work is commissioned. I have many times in the past found it very hard to let a portrait go that had been commissioned.

Although I am and always will be a painter, I have been very involved in drawing again. There has always been a personal soul touching experience with drawing as my focus is drawn closer to the aspect of the subject. When painting, I lose much of that in the process of mixing colors and generating a schematic in my mind that takes me from the art itself. I hope that doesn’t sound too profound.

I have been commissioned by many personal, private and corporate entities in the past 25 years doing portraits and reproductions (please don’t hold it against me) and illustrations for various publications.

My work includes Portrait photography, portraits in graphite, carbon and charcoal (separate and mixed) and oil on canvas. I am now focused on making my way out to the festivals, art shows, etc.., and meeting other artists and sharing experiences and knowledge. Thanks, Jim