I’ve always had a passion for art, drawing and painting were almost daily activities for me as a child. Some of my earliest memories are of the sheer joy of receiving a new pack of paper for Christmas and spending hours drawing. Since an early age I’ve been fascinated by the sea and all things nautical, whilst most children were playing football I was reading about the Titanic, a subject which has fascinated me for the last 34 years.
After leaving school, I trained as a cabinet maker, one of my favourite elements of this qualification was technical drawing, something I put to good use when I became a timber frame building designer. Whilst working as a designer, I completed and sold various painting, some in watercolour and others in oils, however my young family always took priority. It wasn’t until my father passed away that I really turned to my art work as a way of processing my grief.
I find the joy of landscape painting is taking what nature has created and interpreting it in my own way, buildings can be moved, trees felled and mountains shifted, all with a flick of a brush. Simplifying scenes is an essential part of working in watercolour, working light to dark means each wash shows through in a way no other does. It allows you to create an atmosphere that is dramatic and all of its own, with an level of unpredictability which keeps the process exciting. Why watercolour? for me is was easy, it provided the best medium for me to represent the places that i love. Watercolour can be a challenging medium but once mastered it rewards the brave!
I’m always on the lookout for rugged and atmospheric landscapes, whether sweeping costal vistas, imposing mountains or dramatic skies. Many of my pieces capture locations in Norway, often known as the land of light, it’s not hard to see why. The fjords feature dramatic skies, breathtaking mountain ranges, remote churches and classic red houses, it’s an artists dream. The same can be said of Scotland, Cornwall and Wales, places known for their rugged and dramatic landscapes, locations which excite my passion and tell a story. I’m fascinated by architecture, especially those unique places steeped in history, some of my favourites include Eileen Donan castle in Scotland and lindisfarne island in Northumberland. The power in these places is incredible and they make subjects that I could study for hours. "The devils in the detail" couldn't be more true with my work, i find its the little details which make a scene believable and bring the ensemble to life.
I utilise a limited palette which this comes with its own set of challenges, though i feel watercolour is best when mixed on the page allowing for a level of spontaneity, so typical of the medium.
My gallery contains a small collection of my work, i have named each piece and provided a short explanation, detailing why i chose to paint it. Please contact me if you would like to purchase a piece and i can provide shipping costs, all pieces as signed originals and supplied without frame or mount.
If you have a scene to share please contact me, I’m always on the lookout for new challenges and a chance to create landscapes that mean something to those who see them.
There are few things I enjoy more than working on commission pieces, understanding the story behind each piece gives me the opportunity to deliver something truly unique and personal. Available in various sizes and to suit all budgets, contact me via email to obtain a quotation. The following is a review from a recent customer
Robert T from London " James is an extremely talented artist who was a pleasure to work with - he worked collaboratively to ensure that my idea for the commissioned works came to life exactly how I envisioned them. Throughout the process he was extremely responsive and provided several checkpoints along the way to make me feel a part of the process. Thanks again James, I can't recommend you highly enough"