We recently connected with James Randle and have shared our conversation below.

James, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I am absolutely happy as an artist, I feel lucky to have a career as an artist and genuinely enjoy what I do even with the struggles. I definitely wonder what it would be like had I pursued a “regular job”- I am jealous of the consistency in that life I suppose.

James, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is James Randle, I am an artist. I paint in oils and my subject matter is mostly the American Southwest and I paint in a realistic style. I think I have always been an artist, my Dad is an accomplished painter, so it showed me how to be a working artist. I have always enjoyed drawing and painting but initially studied ceramics in college- but in the end gave that up for oil painting. I have been lucky to grow my following since college- some of my earliest collectors have become friends…and are still collecting. I believe I have a unique point of view of the Americana southwest, an un-romanticized version, painting the scenes as they are now, a commentary on the manmade and the natural and how they are a part of the landscape of our country. I paint in a palette that I have refined over the years and tend to paint what is familiar to me- so this tends to be Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. I am proud of the natural progression of my work over the years which has come by pushing myself with new subject matter, techniques, and materials.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think the easiest thing anyone can do is support art socially- whether on social media or word of mouth- supporting art you enjoy or that you are interested in and share it with others. Of course it also helps to purchase original artwork- that cannot be overlooked. In the creative community, I believe artists need to support other artists- it often feels like a crowded space and can be a competitive atmosphere in some circles- but I have always found I work best around other creatives.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I think that the day to day as an artist is my story of resilience. Staying motivated, finding time to run the business side of art, the ups and downs of gallery success, staying mentally well- it’s all a test of ones resilience. Some of the best things to look back on are the biggest struggle and of course the wins along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.jamesrandleart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesrandleart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesRandleArt/

Image Credits
Image of James painting in studio, Taylor Gonzales @tbgonz