Hello I'm James

All Artwork found on this page is copyright protected and not to be copied without written permission of James Kuhn Gallery.

My technique/medium

I call these pictures "Paint Mosaics" I think of them as paintings and they are made up of paint, but they are not 'traditional' paintings. I draw my composition onto a canvas and then paint it like a normal painting. This is the end of most paintings but only the beginning of mine. I then cover up this first painting with collage. I paint many sheets of thick watercolor paper with acrylic paint. This part is very free, abstract, and intuitive. I later cut up these abstract paintings and assemble them onto my painting until the entire surface is covered and often thick. The process seems more to me like appliqué or quilting ,mosaic, or making a stained glass picture, than traditional painting. Each picture is made up of hundreds of pieces of painted paper glued into place to create a scene that has depth and volume. I draw with my scissors and choose very specific areas of the painted paper to achieve this effect. I am a playful guy and have fun during this process. Some faces I take hours to create and other times the emotion I am trying to portray comes with just a few lines. I let some of the characters be a bit comical and fun. I have always been a people watcher and love the diversity in Gods creation. I went to art school at the school of the art institute in Chicago, and learned to draw from life using live models, In these Bible paintings all the figures are drawn from memory and my imagination. I pray before and during the entire creative process and I believe my hands are often led by the Holy Spirit. If you look closely at my Noah's Ark painting you will discover a "Chicago Bull" among the animals. That is in honor of my mother who is a giant sports enthusiast. There are two African gray parrots sitting on an elephant for my brother Chris, as he has one as a pet named "Molly" and he is very fond of that bird. Painting for me is not work, it is my pleasure and my prayer. I paint to relax and recharge. The obsessive nature of these pictures might wear another man out, but to me they bring me peace.

 

About the Artist

 
I have always wanted to be an artist. My mother say's that I drew pictures in my oatmeal as a small child. I think visually. If I can picture something in my head, it becomes real to me. When I became a Christian and really fell in love with Jesus, I wanted to give Him a gift. I believe that any talent that I have was given to me from God for me to share, so I dedicated my art to Him. Painting pictures from the Bible seemed natural for me as I am reading the Word daily. Reading the Bible creates many pictures in my mind, and these images minister to me. I keep sketchbook nearby while I read scripture and often stop to do a quick sketch when I feel led. Sometimes God gives me a complete picture in my mind, very clear, then al I do is take it from my head and put it down on the canvas. Other times a picture evolves over time and repeated readings of a Bible passage. A few of thru paintings were inspired by powerful preaching at my church and group Bible study. Once I finish a picture I like to keep it around me for awhile so I can sort of get to know it better. I walk around in it with my minds eye and explore until I begin to understand why God led me to paint it. I often see myself in the characters and situations. The paintings teach me and speak truth to me.