Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to John James. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, John thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I’m captivated by the interplay of color and light, which offers limitless combinations in the world around us. A single landscape or still life can be painted hundreds of times, yet each rendition remains unique because the artist brings a different skillset to each painting. The artist Giorgio Morandi comes to mind—he spent his entire life painting the same objects in his studio, and his still life work, studying the interplay between two and three dimensions, continues to be groundbreaking today.

I find particular inspiration in the refraction of light as it passes through glass. The liminal space created by this interaction fascinates me, offering endless opportunities for interpretation. My ongoing project, the ‘Crystal Series,’ explores these intricate effects of light refraction and color.

John, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve always been drawn to creativity—painting, drawing, and making art. My life’s journey has taken me through three distinct careers. After earning a degree in economics, I spent 13 years playing professional football with the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions and the Houston Oilers. Following that, I served as a college administrator, leading the Gator Booster program at my alma mater for 28 years. Now, I am a full-time oil painter, working in two dimensions on a canvas. You never know where life will lead!

As an artist, my work is most fulfilling when it connects with the deep creative energy within me. I started painting years ago with my friend Ellie Blair in Gainesville, FL, where I developed foundational skills. Since then, I have worked with Julian Merrow Smith in Provence, France, and studied with artists including Duane Keiser and Dan Stepp. For the past seven years, I have continued my studies with Karen O’Neil at the Art Students League in New York, where I am a member. I also maintain a website and publish a newsletter.

My artistic development has been an exciting journey. I am currently exploring the interplay between narrative and abstraction, seeking to interpret the unique connection of color and light in each subject and moment. The beauty of painting is that you come to understand yourself through the choices you make in your work.

As Claude Monet once said, “I would like to paint the way a bird sings!”

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I believe that creativity is an inherent part of all of us. Our left brain is analytical, structured, and focused on survival, while our right brain is the source of artistic and imaginative expression. We all have the potential to cultivate and strengthen our creative side—if we make the effort and dedicate the time. Unfortunately, I feel that universities and schools are increasingly prioritizing teaching students how to earn a living (left-brain skills) rather than how to lead a well-rounded life. A diminished focus on the arts in education is a loss for society in the long run. Without creative expression, the world would be much less vibrant.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Creativity manifests in many forms. Whether an attorney thoughtfully crafts a well-designed Will or Trust for a client, or an engineer invents a new battery for an electric car, they are both drawing upon their creative potential. We all benefit from engaging our right-brain abilities—they exist for us to nurture and expand. My goal is to live a rich and meaningful life, one infused with creative awareness. I strive to lead a “painterly life,” noticing the beauty of color and light in everyday moments. Whether I’m in the grocery store, on a walk, or anywhere in between, I constantly find myself wondering how I would mix colors to replicate the beautiful hues I see.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://johnjamesart.com
• Other: I have a newsletter that can be accessed through my website, johnjamesart.com.