
Born and Raised in Texas, James’ love of art began in elementary school. Throughout public school he took every art class that was available and there weren’t that many in the fifties and sixties. In eighth grade he won a first-place ribbon with a pastel drawing. His mother still has that piece.
In high school, at the age of 15, he
Born and Raised in Texas, James’ love of art began in elementary school. Throughout public school he took every art class that was available and there weren’t that many in the fifties and sixties. In eighth grade he won a first-place ribbon with a pastel drawing. His mother still has that piece.
In high school, at the age of 15, he finally had a chance to take art classes where he was introduced to oil painting and his love of art grew to a whole new level. He entered art shows and won ribbons, including the State Fair of Texas several years running. Over the years he has won many ribbons in art shows in Texas and New Mexico (He lived in N.M. for a year in 1978-79).
He has continually painted year after year since 1965, covering vast amounts of canvas with paint. Some years were not as prolific as others, but every year he has produced paintings. He doesn't think of himself as born with a talent for art. He says his work comes from many hours of practice and perseverance.
He is a member of Plano Art Association and Artists Round Texas. His studio is in The Rails Station Studios (www.railstationstudios.com) in Downtown Plano Arts District with such renown artists as Gene Dillard and Michael Holter. And in September of 2020, James will have been officially painting for fifty-five years.
He hopes to one day move to the Texas hills that he loves to paint.
I was nine years old in a fourth-grade classroom, 1958-59. We had our crayons and Manila paper out, drawing. The teacher came to my desk and called the class around. He said he wanted to show us how to create motion in art. He proceeded to draw, on my paper, with my crayons, a man with his hat being blown off his head into the air with l
I was nine years old in a fourth-grade classroom, 1958-59. We had our crayons and Manila paper out, drawing. The teacher came to my desk and called the class around. He said he wanted to show us how to create motion in art. He proceeded to draw, on my paper, with my crayons, a man with his hat being blown off his head into the air with leaves flying. I remember thinking, "This is what I want to do." And from that day until this, I have been an artist.
I was introduced to oil painting in high school during the mid-sixties. From that point on, no matter what phase of life I went through, I always had art supplies, canvases and an easel. I have always had to paint and create art.
My work has certainly morphed over the last fifty-plus years. I consider myself a realist, but I also paint abstracts. I feel that painting abstracts helps my realism by keeping me loose and free with my colors and compositions.
Email: jamesgilbreathartist@gmail.com
My studio: www.railstationstudios.com (1013 15th Place #101, downtown Plano, Tx. 75074
facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jamesgilbreathtexasartist