James Naughton (b.1971)

James has been a professional Artist since 1998. Producing oil paintings from Bolton studio(UK) he has created a unique vision of Landscape painting. He has established his reputation through a consistent determination to make art. Trusting instincts which result in emotive experiences for him and the viewer.

His work emerges from three preoccupations, light, landscape and the nature of paint, these combine to result in paintings that link tradition and a modern visual experience. James values direct observation, as a traditional way to record the Landscape but is also drawn to communicating the interplay between what we see and our imagination, forging bonds between experience and mythology. His process does not normally involve preparation, sketching or photography, he finds that inviting the natural movement of oil paint to suggest the direction of a work, in an intuitive way, provides the most exciting challenge.

James has exhibited widely in the UK and at numerous acclaimed international Art Fairs. Recently his personal interest in the art of Thomas Moran led to an ambitious Arts Council funded project and included a two week road trip in Yellowstone, National Park, The Teton Range and Green River(Wyoming USA) . The project culminated in an extensive exhibition in the public art gallery of his home town Bolton. This year James’ passion for the American Landscape will develop further as he has been awarded a four week residency at Teton Art lab in Wyoming USA.

Such recognition across the commercial and public spheres is very rare and testament to the the quality of James’ painting.