Biography

James Lumley, who resides in Amherst, Massachusetts, is an experienced artist of professional accomplishment. Being a lover of nature, he creates each painting on-site at a particular time of day when the quality of light best captures its essence.

His ability to interpret the magnificent grandeur of the natural scene in a unique quality of atmosphere and light makes him one of the most accomplished artists today.

Jim’s paintings reflect his skill and a love of the American landscape and dedication to its conservation and remembrance. In addition to drawing and design courses at the University of Massachusetts, Jim studied painting with Ellen Johnson, June Stevenson, Christen Couture, Rey Milici, David Farrell, Stephen Perkins, Joanette, and Cedric Egeli. 

His primary teacher for twelve years was Henry Hensche at the Cape School of Art. He has been represented by galleries and art consultants all along the east coast. His work is in many private and corporate collections. He is currently writing a book on painting technique. Please refer to his “Monograph” elsewhere on this site: https://thelumleystudioatlilacland.com/monograph/

Statement by the Artist

My work is rooted in that of the Impressionists, particularly the studies of light and color made by Claude Monet. He showed us the beauty of an early morning dawn, the warmth of an evening sunset, the somber relationship of fields and woods on a stormy day. He shocked us into seeing the variety of colors in nature. We no longer enjoy a landscape rendered in a narrow range of color; we know colors are changed by the light striking the scene.

I make all my paintings from direct observations of nature. Like Monet, I feel the sensation of life can only be gained by standing in front of nature. Only under a condition of existing light and atmosphere can I observe the beauty of a scene. I do not copy a scene – photography does a better job (although within a limited color and value range) – and I am not interpreting it through some psychological concept.

To capture the beauty of the natural world, I use color to show how the physical planes within a scene are struck by light at a specific time of day, and if a landscape, under the same atmospheric condition. Instead of shades of the same color, different colors show how the light changes shapes regardless if a landscape, still life, or portrait. Showing how horizontal planes recede into the distance by these subtle changes of color gives my paintings a unique three-dimensional effect. I usually work no more than two hours on a painting before returning to it another day at the same time and if the same atmospheric conditions prevail.

When others compare my vigorous coloration with Impressionism, I demur. They misconstrue my artistic purpose. The Impressionists profess to imitate nature, painting it as it is. The result is often flat, arbitrary color that disregards the more profound truth.

As viewers, the more we become aware of how different lights affect the color of what we see, the deeper our feeling for a work. Even though understanding a painting is intellectual, caring about one is emotional, participation engaging the mind and the heart.

I attempt to have my work stand up to the best work of the ages. I strive to be as good and add something to our insight into the world around us.