James’ studio in the Hunter Valley has windows that open out onto the leaves of gum trees – the perfect inspiration for his paintings of possums, koalas, wrens, cockatoos and other Australian bird life. In just a few years since turning a hobby into painting professionally, James has learnt to capture wildlife perfectly, often in a landscape setting.
This self-taught artist, thoroughly researches each subject by using all his own resource material from sketches to photography. His paintings, prints and greeting cards have a distinctive style, which appeals to many collectors. A considerable amount of thought and research is combined to ensure that each work is as accurate and pleasing to the eye as it can be. Everywhere James goes he carries a camera, tripod and notebook to capture unique moments in nature.
Says James, “I began to paint wildlife after obsessively observing the colour, humour and movement of our native birds. I find all of my resource material in the bush, often sitting for hours to capture or see a glimpse of a particular bird, sometimes walking kilometres for that special piece of reference material or visiting the Lamington National Park and scouring local river and creek banks to observe particular birds. Being able to transpose my passion for wildlife onto canvas has been one of the most positive things I have done in my life. To me there can be no more deserving pursuit than to share my art and in some way raise the profile of and urgency for protecting our natural native heritage”.
