James was born and spent most of his life on a farm in Africa where he started to paint scenes from the farm and African life. Some 20 years ago he moved to make Australia his home, and fell in love with the Australian landscape, particularly old farms, the warm soft colours and the light. This inspired him to paint more seriously.

He has been painting in watercolour for over 25 years and has been exhibiting in galleries throughout Australia and Southern Africa for the 10 years. He has won a number of awards in and around South East Queensland and has also been teaching and holding workshops for a number of years.

There is something about the Australia rural landscape that he finds particularly captivating – “I find the play of light on old fences, gum trees, old sheds and livestock quite irresistible”.

He paints loosely in watercolour using wet into wet techniques “the faster I work, the more feeling the painting has”. He does a lot of his work on site and is passionate about painting in the great outdoors.

He loves to share his joy of painting with others and has always started and run painting groups wherever he has spent any time.