Fine artist Paul James is a remarkable and fascinating man. He is a gifted wildlife, animal and landscape artist. At Creative Picture Framing we always have a good stock of Paul’s ever popular work
Paul was born and grew up in Leicestershire, England. His artistic abilities became apparent from a relatively early age and with the support and encouragement of his parents his early talent began to shine. He did go to Art College at the insistence of his teachers to study graphic design, but being something of a rebel he did not wish to conform to the course requirements so left and began to make something of a living painting classic cars and commissions of neighbours pet dogs and cats. If asked Paul would consider himself essentially self taught
Paul began painting professionally in 1986. It was the haunting beauty of the nearby Charnwood Forest that greatly influenced his early atmospheric landscape and animal paintings for which he has become renowned. Paul has perfected a style with incredible fine detail, which means that his works take time. He paints in acrylics either on canvas or board and uses his own photographic reference material. Over the years he has had a number of publishing deals with the likes of Verkereke, Gordon Frazer, Solomon & Whitehead, Washington Green and Blazing editions, and more recently with De Montfort Fine Art.
For six years Paul and partner Linda had what many would see as an enviable lifestyle living and working on board their narrow boat ‘Fool’s Paradise?’ They travelled around the inland waterways of Britain where Paul gained inspiration for many of his paintings. Whilst Paul spent much of each day painting, Linda would ‘set up the stall’ and sell items directly off the boat to people walking along the towpaths and fellow boaters. Occasionally they would attend waterways festivals and shows and would put on quite a display hanging pictures (weather permitting) the entire length of the boat.
They also spent time introducing Paul’s work to shops in the various villages and towns that they travelled through. The original idea had been to lead an alternative stress-free existence away from the ‘rat-race’, however as business grew, the boat gradually filled up with various items of stock including canvases, frames, prints, cards, envelopes and display items and it was not long before they decided that they needed more space to live and work in, so in 2004 they took up residence in the rural setting of Southern Ireland, surrounded by the wildlife, flora and fauna that populate Pauls work but now Paul has a much larger studio to work from.
Streetwise Charlie limited Edition on canvas approx 40" x 42" No 17 of 75 from the sold out edition POA
