After finishing his BFA in Scenic and Costume design for theater at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, James continued work as an apprentice designer and painter. In 1989 he started his own decorative arts business, painting murals and faux finishes throughout the East Coast of the U.S.
A desire to extend his arts education led James to fresco classes at Parsons School of Design, and to a workshop in Italy to study the 16th c. technique of Scagliola. The obscurity of this lost art inspired him to return to Venice in 2002 for further study, and to begin documenting and teaching the technique. It also sparked an interest in other plaster techniques along with Scagliola. James has published articles on venetian plaster, and fresco.
From 2006-2020, James and his wife Angeline, a former professional modern dancer, realized a long held desire to open a non-profit community arts center, Totts Gap Arts Institute (www.tottsgap.org) The facility closed in 2020 after 14 years of running programs in fine and performing arts. It continues funding programs that serve the Slate Belt region of Pennsylvania.
In 2012, after experiencing a reaction to turpentine (even in a well ventilated room!) He began a search for a safer method. This led him to the work of Tad Spurgeon, and his book "Living Craft". In his now (sadly, defunct) website, Spurgeon provides the methods and materials for a more authentic, historic oil painting practice. Importantly, it is both technically sound and solvent-free.
You can read more about it on his blog page "Where thou Art"
