Jim McNamara
Biography
I was born and grew up in the midwest. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from Creighton University and a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Washington. I studied art at the University of Nebraska, the University of Washington, Seattle Pacific University and at an array of drawing and painting workshops throughout the West. An outdoor enthusiast my whole life, I have hiked, climbed, backpacked, hunted, fished, paddled, peddled and painted in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico.
I have lived most of my adult life in the Seattle area, but in 2001 I moved with my wife Diana and “best friend” Bogey to Walla Walla. Diana is a native of nearby Dayton Washington, and has family there. I have been a “mostly full time” artist since 2001. I maintain a studio in my home.
Statement
I have been drawing and painting since early childhood. As a boy, it was my dream to become a wildlife artist, but I drew everything. Ideally, I try to paint from life. Painting outdoors in a beautiful location is the ultimate. But, as with any outdoor pursuit, the weather doesn’t always cooperate, so I often rely on photographs and sketches for studio work. My paintings are a response to a particular place or scene in nature rather than a photographic copy. One of the great advantages of being a painter is the freedom to move elements around to suit the needs of the composition. So if a tree isn’t where I want it to be, I move it. Landscape painters have been known to move mountains.
Landscape painting has a long history, and I have been influenced by many of “the usual suspects”, but also by less well known painters such as William Wendt, Edgar Payne, and the California Impressionists.
Since I became more fully involved in painting I have won several awards in juried shows in southeast Washington and northeast Oregon. My paintings are included in private collections in the United States and in Europe. For the past five years I have enjoyed the patronage of Fort Walla Walla Cellars (Spokane and Main Street) where my work is always on display. I am represented by Wenaha Gallery in Dayton, Washington, where my work has been on display since 2001.
Events
Wenaha Gallery, Dayton
May 24 - June 15, 2008
Show opening includes a painting demonstration (this is the beginning of Dayton Days also )
Links
Wenaha Gallery, Dayton WA |
wenaha.com
art@wenaha.com
Washington Plein Air | washingtonpleinair.com
Contact
The largest collection of my work can be seen at my studio:
525 Lincoln Street, Walla Walla.
An inventory of currently available work can be seen via e-mail by contacting me at jamesmcnamara@charter.net or by phone at 509-526-5747.