Hi, my name is James. Since the young age of eight, I studied a broad range of artistic disciplines including Illustration, painting, ceramics, photography, fine arts and more recently, graphic design. When I was a kid, I would read TinTin & Biggles and remember my granddad buying us a vast collection of Disney videos. Star Wars was great too. I soon developed a competitive streak, so when my two older sisters started drawing, I began drawing too. When I hit my teens I started listening to hardcore, metal & punk rock. Perhaps this is why my sketchbook filled up with dark & surreal subjects. I would generally draw people. I take a great interest in the way a person's character can be captured through a drawing. I also drew a lot of nudes because, well everybody loves boobs. After finishing high school, I got my Diploma of Graphic Design at Hornsby TAFE where I immersed myself in the clean and simplistic style of vector art. Artists such as Joe Whyte and Herge were strong influences in my style. I would often draw my dreams. I'd create whimsical images of a deep sea diver with antlers and a drunk octopus donning a top hat. I drew gramophones and old telephones. I would draw anything that I found beautiful or amusing. About two years ago I got a job as a desktop publisher for Sydney Eye Hospital. My style suited the conservative identity of the public health system and my vector graphics were ideal to create instructional illustrations. I prefer vector art to most other mediums because of its simplicity and cleanliness. I still sketch and paint but it usually ends up as a vector illustration. I am compelled by my desire to be neat and tidy. Not always am I tidy but I like it to appear that way. I like one perfect line over a dozen near enough. I believe in organised chaos and asymmetric order. I recently relocated to Melbourne where I am surrounded by more art and design than my camera can handle. I now work as a freelance Graphic designer and illustrator. |
