The Story
James was born in 1998 to a working class family, residing in Warren, OR. Their experience and environment growing up could be summarized as "the country version of Malcolm in the Middle."
After 1 year taking computer science at community college while living alone in the desert, 1 year of living in a treehouse in a friend's backyard, and 4 years of baking at a bakeshop where they met their life partner, James relocated to the city and returned to education at Portland State to pursue a BFA in Art Practice, with a minor in Film Studies. Some special attention has been given to East and Southeast Asian culture and art, as well as the topics of migration and labor.
They can usually be found in class or working at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. Upon graduation, they wish to pursue a career in printmaking, and/or public educational broadcasting.
My Practice
I approach my works with focus on practicing technical skill and application of technique. Every project starts with the idea that by committing to a process, any discoveries and “mistakes” made along the way will serve my artistic growth.
I primarily work via traditional printmaking, video, and digital tools. The methodical and involved nature of these workflows allow me to think deeply about the different moving parts of the subjects at hand.
Given my focus on intrapersonal, sociological, philosophical, and natural themes, this tendency to thoroughly consider and explore ideas and connections is a crucial aspect of my process, both personally and in the end results.
Printmaking
Soul, March 2024, aquatint etching, 8.5 x 8.25 inches, part of the "Identity" series.
Self, March 2024, hard ground etching, 8.5 x 8 inches, part of the "Identity" series.
Subvert, March 2024, soft-ground etching, 8.5 x 8.25 inches, part of the "Identity" series.
A Print of My Dad, October 2024. linocut print. 9 x 12 inches. Posthumous portrait of my father, who passed in October of 2024.
Animation
Ciggy, January 2025. Flipbook animation. 1920 x 1080, 10 seconds. 120 hand drawn frames.
DumbBox, March 2023. Animated video. 640x360 pixels, 47 seconds. A video about smartphone rot.
His Job is to Pull the Lever, March 2025. Flash animated video. 1920 x 1080 pixels, 34 seconds. His job is to pull the lever.
Drawing
Miscellaneous
