Contact: adam.james.workshop@gmail.com
Pictures that access primal sensation, social hierarchy, nature’s whimsy, a perceived threat, or objects of desire allow for the simplest points of access. While its surface deserves spectacular treatment, the seeming miracle of discovery ought to be embedded within a rich, often mysteriously alluring narrative. Otherwise, it risks becoming simply a decorative object.
Much of my recent work has been shaped by experiences of cancer, poverty, grief, and a changing relationship with life itself. It’s clearer than ever that if my work isn’t healing to its viewers, then it’s not worth making. Sometimes provocation is a tool to grip someone, and then it’s our responsibility to hold them tenderly within a space that allows for personal growth.
Through all of the turmoil, I’ve stayed true to my calling to become a steward of some of history’s greatest lessons in self-mastery, generosity, humility, trust, and love.
In 2016, I lived and studied with Odd Nerdrum for six months between his homes in Stavern, Norway, and Stockholm, Sweden. After returning to the United States, I worked full-time as a studio artist in Chicago for seven years, primarily through commissioned painting across portraiture, landscape, still life, and other subjects.
During this period, I developed Painting Everybody, a twenty-seven episode YouTube series centered on live double portraiture and conversation, and later taught three semesters of Post-Impressionist Painting Techniques through The Teaching Studios of Art.
I have also worked professionally as a scenic painter for television, film, museums, and theatre in Chicago. In 2025, I received two Chicago artist grants totaling $16,000 and secured representation with Gallery Victor (Chicago). I have since returned to painting full-time, developing work concerned with observation, craft, spiritual experience, and the intensifying nature of human life over time.
CV
b. 1985 McHenry, IL
Education:
Fall 2015-Spring 2016
The Nerdrum School - Stavern Norway
2006
American Academy of Art - Chicago, Illinois - Illustration and oil painting
Selected Exhibitions/Experience
2026
Laluzapalooza - La Luz de Jesus Gallery - Los Angeles, CA
Creature Feature - Gallery Victor - Chicago, IL
Gallery Victor - Chicago, IL
Closing Exhibition - Povos Gallery - Chicago=, IL
2024
Pleasure Seeking Behavior - VSG Contemporary - Chicago, IL
Everything But The Kitchen Sink - La Luz De Jesus Gallery - Los Angeles, CA
Evoke Provoke - Gallery Victor - Chicago, IL
2023
Bloom! - Povos Gallery - Chicago, IL
2022
TCHARAM! - Very Serious Gallery - Chicago, IL
Created Painting Everybody - YouTube Channel
Liberating The Flesh - 33 Contemporary - Chicago, IL
2021
Couples - 33 Contemporary - Chicago, IL
Founded TRIPTICO - arts and culture blog with artists Bruno Passos (BR) and Trevor Knapp (WI)
Facing The Universe, The Cosmos Within - Wausau Museum Of Contemporary Art - Wausau, WI
2020
Sight Unseen - 33 Contemporary Gallery - Chicago, IL
Ethereal Epiphany - 33 Contemporary Gallery - Chicago, IL
2016
6 Month Painting Apprenticeship - ODD NERDRUM - Stavern, Norway
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITY AUCTION AND COMMERCIAL - Chicago, IL
Freak Out!, POETS AND ARTISTS MAGAZINE, ZHOU B ART CENTER
Ourselves From Another Point of View, POETS AND ARTISTS MAGAZINE, ZHOU B ART CENTER
Nerdrumklanen III - Småbildeutstilling, Raugland Galeri - Stavern, Norway
2015
AROUND THE COYOTE, FLAT IRON FINE ARTS BUILDING, Chicago, IL
79TH JURIED EXHIBITION OF PAINTING AND SCULPTURE, POLISH MUSEUM OF AMERICA, Chicago, IL
FIRST FRIDAY OPEN STUDIOS, FLAT IRON FINE ARTS BUILDING, Chicago, IL
Chicago’s New Realists, POETS AND ARTISTS MAGAZINE, ISSUE #60
Chicago’s New Realists, ZHOU B ART CENTER, Chicago, IL.
2014
Artist Assistant – DAVID MOLESKY, Raleigh, NC
Art Director/Propmaster on film “DEATH OF A GROUPIE”, San Francisco, CA
Don’t Panic - group show, PAN GALLERY, Los Angeles, CA
RAW ARTISTS - group show, Mayan Theater, Los Angeles, CA
The Biannual Brewery Artwalk (Spring), Los Angeles, CA
2013
Costume Fabrication for Disney/Universal Studios - CUSTOM CHARACTERS INC., Burbank, CA
Art Department/Production Assistant on music video - “INCREDIBLE” by Korean pop artist “JUNSU” , Los Angeles, CA
THE BIANNUAL BREWERY ARTWALK (Spring), Los Angeles, CA
The Biannual Brewery Artwalk (Fall), Los Angeles, CA
2012
Portraits, The Convent, San Francisco, CA
The Biannual Brewery Artwalk (Fall), Los Angeles, CA
2011
Graphic Design for INSTANT AUTOMATIC, San Francisco, CA
Debased, Stud Bar, San Francisco, CA
Puppet Sculpture/Fabricator on TEDDY THE TRAVELER, Oakland, CA
2010
Tyrus Bachar Living Trust Auction, San Francisco, CA
Illustrator/Designer for “HOPPYVILLE” children’s book, San Francisco, CA
Thanksgiving, Prescott, AZ