James Bemis

James Bemis was born in Detroit, USA in 1961. Following a career in photographic art, he is now painting professionally in the United Kingdom.

Most of his work is produced in ‘plein air’, often under challenging weather conditions. He enjoys painting the coastline around the United Kingdom, including the Isle of Wight where he lives. He is also widely recognised for his paintings of nudes, which are particularly subtle, using light and the luminous quality of skin tones to wonderful effects.

His work is especially influenced by painters such as Walter Sickert, James Whistler and Paul Henry, and it is from these luminaries that he has clearly learned his deft, yet sensitive use of the brush. Through his work he expresses the feeling of a place, and creates a spontaneous representation of its character, based very much in the 19th century tradition of impressionism.

He has exhibited in the United Kingdom and in the USA including at the Summer Show of the Royal Academy.

“Painting and the study of art history have always been a passion of mine. One of my main dreams when I was young, was that one day I would become a serious artist. It has become a most rewarding experience working towards this. My aim is simply to create paintings which celebrate my love for life, people and nature.”