ABOUT JAMES

FINDING HIS WAY
Having studied Visual art throughout High School, James knew that being creative was his calling. Upon graduating, James continued his post-secondary studies in Graphic Design, completing a three-year program at Seneca Collage in Toronto.

​James would make Toronto his home for the next 16 years, working as a freelance artist in the beginning of his career.  As a freelance artist, James worked to help create corporate identity for various companies, through the creation of logos and print material to assist in promotional awareness. One such company, award winning Toronto based "Kneider Architects ", have continued today, to use James' logo design that he created over 35 years ago to represent their firm. Freelance work led to working full time in the advertising industry. Working with various agencies in Toronto, including Campbell Mitchener & Lee and M2000, both full-service in-house agencies. James contributed in the creative department working on a variety of media in the production of advertisements/print material, billboards and television commercials for companies such as Frito Lay.
A  NEW FOCUS
Having worked in advertising for five years, James shifted his focus from commercial arts to applied arts.   Enrolling in the Visual Arts program at York University, James earned a B.F.A. with a focus in painting and sculpture. In his second year of school, he won the York University, "L.L. Odette Sculpture Award" for one of his Lime stone sculptures. University provided learning and the discovery of various media that had been developed throughout the history of Western art. James embraced the 20th century eras of art history, when artists pushed each other with the advancement of new art forms/styles and the techniques used to create.  It was here that he discovered Edward Hopper and his use of light, colour and landscape that appealed to James as a landscape painter
​Upon graduating, James continued his studies in the newly created teacher Education Program at York University for Fine Arts. The  degree program's  focus was on teaching the arts' disciplines. Practice teaching experiences in this curriculum included teaching at the Claude Watson School of the Arts in Toronto. James earned his Bachelor of Education through this program.
PERFECTING HIS CRAFT
After finishing university James continued painting, and displaying his artwork while pursuing a career in teaching  Visual Arts.  In 1997 James was hired by the Durham Catholic School Board, to teach Visual Arts at Father Leo J. Austin C.S.S. where he worked until retirement in 2022. During his time at Father Austin, James taught thousands of students who had similar aspirations to unearth their interests and to develop their skills in making art. He created several successful courses, such as senior level painting classes.  These helped students create their portfolios that showcased their newly learned skills.  Students learned about and created  works in visual media working with drawing (lead, pastel, conté), paint (acrylic & oil), sculpture (clay, plaster, soap stone, found object, installations), printmaking, encaustic, marker rendering and mix media. Working with these media allowed the students to build a body of work required for entry to  into college or university art programs. The success of James' art curriculum can be measured by the acceptance rate of his grade 12 students to their post-secondary art school of choice. Many have been granted positions to the oldest, most prestige art school in Canada "OCAD University"  (formerly O.C.A.).  James enjoyed nurturing his students' growth as individual artists.   He encouraged them through detailed positive feedback  and artistic challenges to visually communicate their ideas of expression. As well, for 16 consecutive years, James organized and ran a 5 day New York City Fine Arts Trip.  The trips included visiting major galleries and museums, Broadway performances, workshops and culture excursions with in the arts capital of North America.​
James is a resident of Port Perry, where he and his family have lived for the past 20 years. As a local artist, he is a member of the Port Perry Artist Association. James has sold many paintings over the years to both public and private institutions such as York University and the Four Eyes Post Media Group.

AWARDS

​​*   L.L. Odette Sculpture Award - York University - 1996
*  Placed 2nd in Acrylic Painting Category -  Oshawa Art Association  Juried Show  -   2011
    (Blue of Winter - Dripscape Painting)
*  Recipient of the Durham Art Showcase Award - Durham Region - Hon. Erin O'Toole - 2018
*  Placed 3rd over all show  -  Station Gallery  -   Juried Show  "Life's Moods"   -   2023
    (Avocado, Ham & Cheese - Sandwich)

Memberships

Station Gallery - Whitby
Muskoka Art & Crafts - Bracebridge
Oshawa Plein Air Group