James Hempel is an oil painter whose richly layered canvases play out the subtle drama of light, air, and color evoked within the changing seasons of the rural Midwest and Western landscape. Plein air studies and sketchbook drawings completed during his frequent travels around the country stand alone as complete works in themselves, or serve as the basis for full-sized paintings completed in the studio.

            Born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin, James was educated in the natural sciences and fine arts at Lawrence University. Following three years as a secondary school educator in science and mathematics, he returned to the pursuit of his own artistic training entering a classical program of academic life drawing and painting at the Atelier Prohl. James presently lives in Shorewood, Wisconsin and maintains a studio, gallery, and school of fine arts in Milwaukee’s historic Walker’s Point neighborhood.

            James is self-represented at his Walker’s Point studio gallery and at the Red Stallion Gallery in Glen Haven, Colorado. He has participated in numerous juried, small group and museum shows, and has won many awards for his work. His painting, drawings, and portrait commissions are found in many private and corporate collections
 

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