James Rose

Love, Experience and Nature

My art can be a representation of a combination of water, land, plants and small animals that live there. The land may be mountains, islands, a ravine. All carved out by glaciers or pushed by the oceans. In nature there are micro worlds and grand sweeping worlds. A small stream might be an entire world, home for a few crows, a small frog. a bubbling cascade. I submerge myself in these worlds and come out the other side with feelings and remembered experiences. The feeling of joy, relaxation and love are what resonate with me when going through these experiences. When I am in water it is like an embrace from a loved one. It makes me feel comfort, exhilaration, and joy. The marks I use and when representing water hopefully reflect these feelings. T draw with charcoal and watercolor, then use oil paint to make a painting.

My paintings are informed by my drawings. My drawings come from direct observation of my time in nature. My process originates from observing these things, drawing them, then returning to the studio to allow my paintings to go in their own direction, only hoping to hold on to the feeling I had while experiencing them. My experience in nature and the feelings I have of love, awe or joy is what makes my art unique. It is my personal connection to a place that comes through my art.