"The paint dances and the ink sings" is a phrase that sums up how I feel when immersed in working on a picture. Sometimes I never feel as alive as when I am challenging myself to reproduce the beauty of a landscape, or capture someones likeness in their eyes. The joy I find in painting and drawing is surpassed only by the pleasure I feel when I am able to share it with others. I have built this website with the hope that I can share some of my passion.
I have been drawing and painting since I was old enough to pick up a crayon, and my interest in the subject has continued throughout school, university and work life. An early interest in fantasy art has continued to this day with influences from D&D, Warhammer, fantasy literature and cinema. I love to produce works from my own vivid imagination and frequently make up story lines, which in my mind help infuse the images with a life of their own. However I have always had a fascination with the natural world, people and places.
Birds and animals hold a special place in my heart having been around them my whole life and it gives particular pleasure reproducing images that capture the beauty of the natural world. All the works shown here are produced from life or from photos I have taken myself.
A quick browse through my portfolio reflects the love I have for travel, and having been to six of the seven continents, I am constantly inspired by different people, landscapes and cultures. Paintings can capture a moment in time in a way that photos don't.
I am equally comfortable working in a wide variety of media and styles. This includes pencil, coloured pencil, ink, pastel, watercolour, acrylic and oil, but I am constantly pushing to develop my own skills and try new things.
I have been fortunate to have been able to share my passion for art with both adults and children, through teaching in schools, and private tutoring. I have also been lucky enough to achieve success in a number of competitions, the highlight of which was having one of my bird illustrations shortlisted for the BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year competition.
I hope you enjoy my website, please feel free to contact me with any enquires on facebook or email.
James