Collection: Paul James

My art teacher at the time however considered it a ‘silly notion’ and insisted that I should attend art-college to undertake a course in graphic design. It was not what I wanted to do and I spent more time hanging around the local Ferrari dealership painting exotic and classic cars. I lived in the hope that one of the many rich and famous customers would commission me to paint a picture of their car. Unfortunately it was not to be!

 Approximately half way through the course I decided to quit as it was not for me. After that I dabbled around in a range of activities, earning some money painting people’s pets, playing the piano in the pubs, clubs and cocktail bars, and I even spent a summer season entertaining folks at one of the infamous Butlins Holiday Camps. I also spent some time running my own business in the motor trade, however my urge to paint took hold again and I decided to commit my time to painting professionally in 1986. I continued with taking commissions for pet portraits, but still with an interest in cars and all things mechanical I became a member of the Guild of Motoring Artists, but this was short lived as I did not feel that it was the right subject matter for me. I experimented with portraits of people, landscapes, birds of prey, sheep and cattle. As my landscape paintings became popular.

I spent time developing a style that I could call my own. For many years I also had another ambition, which was to make my home and studio on board a narrow boat. This ambition was finally achieved in 1997. Being nomadic by nature this lifestyle suits me perfectly. I can be somewhere different every day if I choose. Sometimes I prefer the tranquillity of the countryside, whilst other days being in the centre of a busy town or city is preferable. As a relatively simple, humble way of living I can concentrate my energies in to my art and music.