That's James on the right, the bigger one.
James is an Australian artist, who has recently returned from a two year stint in Norway. He is predominately a painter of large-scale portraits and abstracts, but also works in installation and illustration.
James’ story is one of many artistic disciplines and adventures, including painting, filmmaking, teaching and songwriting. Before becoming an artist, James worked predominantly in the film and television industry as a set dresser, art director, scenic artist and props maker. This is absorbing and exciting work, but also extremely demanding, and the commercialism of the job saw him return to his first love, visual art.
Music is another of James’ great passions, and he has enjoyed success with his band The Bank Holidays, which also features his wife, Bekk Crombie. The group has released four records, and toured Australia and Europe, playing a brand of harmony-laden indie rock. Outside of the band James has also written songs and scores for films, commercials and theatre, and won awards for his songwriting.
Over the last few years, James' life has changed substantially. He and wife Bekk moved their young family to Norway (Bekk’s homeland) for a treasure-trove of new experiences, taking up residence in a large old farmhouse by the North Sea. This move gave James a dramatic and beautiful change of scenery, but also a wonderful studio and the space to explore his media. Now, back in Australia (Perth), the perspective he gained abroad is having a tangible effect on his art and world view.