JIM OTIS...
"An artist must possess Nature. He must identify himself with her rhythm, by efforts that will prepare the mastery which will later enable him to express himself in his own language." - (Matisse)
Born in Central Wisconsin, Jim has been painting all his life. "I remember my earliest artistic attempts. I had an orange crayon, drawing faces on the walls while standing in my crib." He might have been a year old. His parents weren't too pleased with his self-portrait. but realized he had a desire to express himself. His parents supported his drive, and encouraged his talent for drawing.
Jim first attended Layton School of Art in Milwaukee in 1964 and initially was enrolled in Illustration and Advertising. "My parents wanted a more practical goal for me other than fine artist." But Jim did take classes from some famous artists; Edmund Lewandowski (1914-1998) American precisionist painter, and noted painter Robert Von Neumann (American 1888-1976). Jim then attended Minneapolis School of Art in 1967, seeking a broader base for painting style... There, he had Christo Javacheff, also know as Christo, as a guest instructor. "He taught me not to be afraid of your feelings...do your own art".
Jim had sold his paintings to supplement his art school education. He came west to California in 1968. He had always been drawn to the Western United States scenery and he launched a successful career in graphics while selling his paintings throughout the state. He had been involved with the "Visionary style" in the late 60s and 70s and worked a large volume of fantasy landscapes.
"My work during these times can be described
as seeing beyond a vision, beyond reality.
My paintings were full of fantasy combined with
pyramids, pterodactyls, planets and hidden faces in my landscapes".
He had won a water poster contest in 1977 sponsored by Santa Cruz county Parks and Cultural Council. He also won a second place county fair ribbon in 1980, along with a few juried shows and publications in the late 80s.
Some galleries in that period:
Travesty Gallery / Santa Cruz-1969
Court Room Gallery / Santa Cruz-1972
Rising Sun Gallery / Carmel-1974
Eclectic Gallery / San Francisco-1975
As the economics of the times worsened, Jim took another job with a family to support and went to work in the fire service. Because of his artistic background, and had some cartography experience, he helped implement the 911 system in California in 1976. He drew maps for emergency response and illustrated children's fire safety artwork. He enjoyed this job and its benefits to all society. He became a paid firefighter in 1978. His experience in the servitude of Mankind, affecting so many lives in an intimate and powerful manner, has enriched his perspectives of Life and Nature far beyond his dreams. Jim's career of 24 years was coming to a milestone ending, and as his retirement approached, He begin anew to feed his drives, and re-entered art in 1999, starting with watercolors, as a beginning point, and now works oils almost exclusively.
"I plunged eagerly and passionately into the wilderness, as if in the hope of thus penetrating into the very heart of this Nature, powerful and maternal, there to blend with her living elements." - (Gauguin)
Jim draws his inspirations from early Chinese landscapes; the Hudson River School, the Impressionists, the Early Californian plein air movement. He holds a special spot for Maynard Dixon with his Sense of Place with a pioneer spirit and his plein air boldness. Some of his favorite contemporaries have been Michael Obermeyer, Lawrence Coulson, and Jim Caldwell.
Jim's work is basically the diary of the magical landscapes he has experienced in his life. Working mostly in oil, but has produced a large body of works in watercolor. He works entirely from his life's interest and experiences.
Jim is now retired from the Fire service and works daily in his Studio in Aptos, California.
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"The Sorcerers Castle"
oil on panel
48" x 24", 1974
"Crumbs of Previous Meals"
oil on panel
48" x 48", 1975
"Shield of Oshkosh"
oil on panel
36" x 30", 1977
"Turkeys at Natural Bridges"
acrylic on panel
18" x 24", 1980
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