Since graduating from the Royal Scottish Academy in 1986, James has followed several diverse paths as an artist, writer, actor, dancer, curator and designer.In a constant quest for new challenges and greater knowledge, he delves into experience and channels much of his energy into creating a prolific depth and volume of work.“Painting for me is like an extension of my theater work” he confides,“ I became an actor because I wanted escape from myself and be as versatile as was physically possible. The same applies to my art and the numerous techniques involved in my studio process. Four distinctly separate series are running concurrently in my mind, and mood and feeling determine the exploration of each… like inhabiting character.Much of the early work is rooted in landscape and its various abstractions. Purist in the beginning with atmospheric “moodscapes” on birch panel mutating into the more visceral encaustic and mixed media alchemys. Since 2007 he has been exploring the placement of shape and form within the framework of the earlier series. This gave birth to the “Spatial” series and in particular “Architectures and Choreographies” These layouts are not premeditated, but affected by the colorfields serendipitously formed in the background washes. The considered dissection of these so called “colorfields” builds the structure of each work.He has lately returned to drawing….so more news to follow.In 2006 he co-founded Surface Library Gallery +Atelier situated in the Springs Historic District of East Hampton. The building houses a permanent inventory of James and partner Bob Bachlers’ ceramics and artworks.A Manhattan studio and Viewing –Room will be opening on 21st St in Manhattan Oct 2009.
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