Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles James.
Hi Charles, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a graphic designer and fine artist. Graduated with a BFA from Louisiana Tech in 1989. I started working at an advertising agency in Memphis, TN, as an Art Director. I created advertising campaigns and designs for many corporate clients (FedEx, Baptist Hospital, Ducks Unlimited, etc…) During my time there I learned how the BUSINESS of being an ARTIST worked. Details, big concepts, speed…all these things have helped me throughout my career.
After eight years there, I bounced around to a few design shops around the country picking up design skills and learning from people along the way. Got married in 1993, had a child in 1995, and adopted a child in 2005. All of these life lessons, along with working non-stop in graphic design and advertising, were amazing learning opportunities. After a while, to de-stress, I started hitting the “bottle” much too frequently. Thank goodness I never had any family or legal issues with it, but, my physical and mental health started to decline rapidly the closer to age 50 I got. At age 54, entered an alcohol and drug rehab center in Augusta, GA and, thankfully, was medically detoxed and able, through lots of counseling, family support and hard work, to stop drinking. During this time, I was exposed to ART THERAPY. That seemed to turn on my FINE ART GENE again! Once I returned home, my wife and I created a studio room where I could start my FINE ART JOURNEY. This was in January 2021. I have painted almost non-stop since that day. I’m finally doing what I’ve actually always wanted to do with my art skill/practice…. creating physical, tactile, expressive, intuitive artwork with no boundaries or opinions on what I “should” do. Art has definitely been a life-saving practice for me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Luckily, for the most part, I would say my art career has been fairly smooth sailing. I have learned so much about the world, people, and myself along the way. My long career of drinking heavily was the bumpy part, but through my art practice, daily mediation, mindfulness, and HUGE family and friend support, I have this under control for the first time since I was a teenager. I used to turn to alcohol to calm my mind and deal with adversities, but now have a new, constructive and healthy way to deal with them. Art saved my life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As an artist, for over 30 years, I have created everything under the sun you can think of. I started in 1989, so computers were new to the scene. I began as a paste-up artist and art director. I was always known for doing artwork/advertising that clients would buy, and I could do it FAST. I’d probably say that’s my “claim to fame” so to speak… being FAST and GOOD (so I’ve been told many times by employers and clients). That may have been part of my needing to find a “calming” agent (alcohol) to help me slow down this “monkey mind” hamster wheel in my head! I DO, and have DONE, everything from logos, printed brochures and collateral, outdoor advertising, TV commercial advertising, website design, and all forms of digital media design. NOW, as I am starting to think about retiring from the commercial side of art, I am focused on the fine art aspects. I have been working with watercolors, acrylic painting, charcoal drawings and paper collage artwork. Actually, any technique that sounds fun and gets my ideas across. I do paint and design some pieces as “pretty” wall art to hang over your couch, but, I really am interested more in painting and drawing things that are socially relevant and have some kind of “meaning” to them. I find this kind of work to be more interesting and cathartic for me. It helps me get things off my mind and off my chest and to say and be who I really am. Sometimes I feel like Basquiat, trapped in Andy Warhol’s brain. Ha! (kidding…but you get it!)
What does success mean to you?
It’s pretty simple actually. I define success and being truly happy, making others happy, and being a loving person. It doesn’t matter how much money you make or how famous you are….. if you are not happy and loved/loving, the rest is just BS. It took me a lifetime to REALLY understand this. Half my life being an alcoholic and numbing out the world and people closest to me, to realize what is REALLY important. I’m not perfect at doing these things, by a LONG shot…. but I am trying my best and know where I want to end up. A happy, loved, loving artist that appreciates the people and world around him. That’s my success. That’s my Shangri-La.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.charlesjamesfineart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlesjamesfineart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlesjamesfineart
