Statement
The sensational beauty of Canada's landscape inspires me. I paint on large canvases with acrylic paint. My paintings capture sunlight and shadows with warm and cool colours, and describe the mountains and lakes with bold strokes. I focus on handling my paint strokes in ways to create movement and balance in my painting. I like to create unique compositions and capture the essence of my subject in a beautiful light.
Born June 17th, 1997 in Edmonton, Alberta and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, James MacDonald is a talented Canadian landscape painter. James started painting when he attended the Alberta College of Art and Design. James' appreciation for the outdoors inspired him to develop his own style of painting to capture the essence of the sensational Canadian landscape.
James' painting skills are grounded in plein air painting, and he draws on this experience to help him manipulate colour, form, and light to create dynamism in his compositions.
His work is influenced by post impressionist artists from the Scottish Colourists group, such as Samuel Peploe and Fancis Cadell, whose bold and vivid paintings first inspired James to take his easel into the outdoors. James focuses on emotional colour harmony and strong compositional designs to portray Canada's landscape in a vigorous and beautiful manner.
Biography
Short CV
EXHIBITIONS
2020
Scott Gallery, General Show, Edmonton, Canada
Trongate 103, General Show, Glasgow,Scotland
2019
IASSIDD Exhibition Scottish Events Campus (SEC), Glasgow
Scotland Art Gallery, Glasgow
2018
Lemond Gallery Christmas Show, Bearsden
Lemond Gallery Christmas Show, Edinburgh
2017
SOLO SHOW - Ritchie Mill
GROUP SHOW - Latitude 53 Gallery
2016
University of Alberta Sculpture Exhibition
Alberta College of Art and Design annual Exhibition
2015
Edmonton City Hall Student Exhibition
Stathcona High School Year End Exhibition
Absurd Collective’s Gallery Show
Edmonton Public School Board Art 30 Award Exhibit
COMMISSIONS
2020
Lake Louise, acrylic painting
Hawaii Landscape, acrylic painting
2019
Alexander Lewis, oil painting
Keith Rankine, oil painting
Callum MacDonald, oil painting
Cat at Window, oil painting
Cat Sleeping, oil painting
2018
Kirkton Road House oil painting
Colbruach House, oil painting
MacKinnon House, oil painting
Catch of the Day, oil painting
2017
Portrait of Jim Wilson
Portrait of Davie Graham, Clansman Rugby Club
Portrait of Ian Nicholson
Portrait of Reginald MacDonald
Portrait of E. Hennig
Portrait of T. Hennig
Portrait of T. Blazejewicz
AWARDS
2017
ALBERTA SOCIETY OF ARTISTS SCHOLARSHIP
EDUCATION
2015-17
University of Alberta, BFA program
Alberta College of Art and Design, BFA program