Jim McVicker

Artful Painter Podcast

Feb 18

Written By Carl Olson

A Way of Seeing

Episode 23

Episode length: 1 hour, 44 minutes

Also available on:
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Jim McVicker imbues atmosphere and light into his paintings that stir the heart. Whether it’s an expansive view of the Pacific coast near his home in Humboldt County, California, or an intimate interior still life set within his studio – his paintings are filled with a sense of solace and peace. Jim began painting full time in the mid-1970s. His early education as a painter began when working closely with artists Curtis Otto, James B. Moore, and George Van Hook. Painting nearly every day together, Jim assimilated what he observed, but developed his own voice. Though his primary joy is in painting representational art, Jim experimented heavily with abstract and non-objective painting for a few years. He says the lessons he learned from that period of experimentation positively influenced his approach to representational painting.

Jim values painting outdoors and in the studio. You could say he has two studios – the great outdoors and his home studio. In this episode, Jim encourages us to embrace painting direct from life and to allow ourselves to be taught by nature. Rather than rigorously follow tedious formulas and rules of design, Jim encourages us to trust our intuition as an artist. Jim’s keen use of his artistic eye, mind, and heart have beautifully honed his way of seeing.

“I always look at as much art as I can, historical and contemporary. I learn from all of it. I will always keep painting and trying to grow as a painter. I think that will never end. ”

— Jim McVicker