James McGrew
Sharing the beauty and wonders of Nature. |
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From his earliest childhood memories, James McGrew remembers always wanting to draw/paint or take photographs of the beautiful world around us. He grew up with a love of nature, sports and performing arts. Today those all influence his artwork including his main subject: nature, especially Yosemite. James frequently visited Yosemite since he was just 4 months old. He works in his Oregon studio most of the year, and makes frequent plein air trips to work direct from nature. He worked as a summer seasonal Yosemite naturalist for the past twelve years and hikes/backpacks several hundred miles a year.
McGrew's award winning artwork hangs in collections around the world has shown in top competitions, museums and galleries including many solo shows. He is a member of the Oil Painters of America, California Art Club. In addition to degrees in biology, chemistry and geology, his master's thesis (environmental education) focused on the role of art in Yosemite's preservation as the foundation of our National Parks. He has presented as a keynote speaker at major science, art, and education conferences including the Artists Impressions of California Conference at the University of the Pacific.
James paints en plein air and later orchestrates his field studies with photography and strong visual memory to create his refined studio paintings. Such works often tell stories or serve as complex metaphors.
Participants on his programs say his love and enthusiasm for nature is contagious. His inspirational teaching styles reach a broad audience as he interweaves art and science in an entertaining manner that people easily understand.
In all his artwork, James uses highest quality materials and time tested techniques coupled with modern technology for true museum quality. James currently resides in Lake Oswego, Oregon with his family and especially enjoys painting, hiking and fly fishing along side his two talented daughters.
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