After retiring from a successful career as a music educator, James traded in his music staff paper for canvas and scratchboard. Prior to that the only time he ever ventured into the art world was creating doodles during department meetings. It wasn't until his sister gave him a small acrylic paint set that the muse sparked an interest. Seeing a large scratchboard work of a leopard at an art exhibit in Sedona, AZ, inspired him to pick up an xacto knife and the passion for scratchboard art began.
His recent acceptance into the International Society of Scratchboard Artists and several pet commissions as well as sales at art fairs at times almost feels overwhelming...but it is a good thing! He has received awards from the Pima County Fair, LightSpaceTime, and Gallery Ring which recently awarded him a Juror’s Choice award. Whoever said "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" got it wrong for James.