Oil and Watercolor Paintings
James A Humphrey (a life-long Texan born in Paris, East Texas,) paints watercolor and oils that explore realistic images of his Texas heritage. He pauses short of photo-realistic executions in favor of in-depth explorations of color and value. Many of his paintings reside in prestigious Texas and regional private and corporate collections.
Mr. Humphrey began his study of art at Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas, as a Fine Art major but was interrupted by service in the United States Air Force during the Viet Nam War. He followed his military service with more formal art training at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with honors, in 1973. He later returned to Pan American University, which is now The University of Texas at Pan American, and served two years on its art faculty.
Since 1982, the artist calls Dallas/Fort Worth home and worked two careers, one as a graphic designer with LTV Aerospace and Defense Company and a second with The Arc of the United States, the national organization on mental retardation. In 2003, Mr. Humphrey opened a painting studio and art gallery in Grapevine, Texas, and one year later moved the gallery to Historic Main Street where it functioned until the space was sold in 2010. Presently, the artist (on your right) works from his home.
Artist Statement
“Painting is a life-long exploration of an artist’s soul, a private exploration of value and color searching deeply for insight and meaning, an exploration exposed to public scrutiny through the harsh light of exhibition. My exploration searches my roots, my heritage and my history from a realistic perspective and the insights developed often resonate with my audience. That viewer does not always know why they relate to my paintings but the emotional tug to their soul is undeniable. As I explore my soul - in a less intrusive way - I explore theirs and together we better understand.”
Selected National Honors and Awards:
"Juror's Choice," by Dr. Joann Moser of The Smithsonian Museum of American Art, 2015 "Strokes of Genius" Exhibit sponsored by the Maryland Federation of Art in the Circle Gallery, Annapolis, Maryland.
Finalist, the 2016 Hunting Art Prize, Houston, Texas.
