James Dunbar
Vancouver, WA - United States
James Dunbar - Fine Artist
Member Since: 01/21/2007
James Dunbar
Painter
Of
Colorful Memories
Welcome! I am a local area artist and have participated heavily in the Portland/Vancouver art scene for the past 5 years. I was born in Phoenix, AZ and later moved to live on my Uncle Buddy's goat farm in Independence, Or. After 2 years on the farm we moved to North Portland to stay with my Grandma and Grandpa. It was then that my mom married a great man, the late James Vaughn, who I still think of as my dad today.
I've always wanted to be an artist. Since the age of 8 my step dad made me feel as if my early art was the best in the world! I remember as a very young kid seeing and hearing him tell everyone who came to visit, that my animal drawings were incredible. He hung them on every wall in the house as if I were famous or something! He kept me motivated all the way, up to the day of his untimely death when I was just 15. After that, I lost my desire to draw or paint, for a very long time.
Now, here I am, several years later re-visiting the wonderful gift that God has blessed me with. A 'chance' encounter with a very special lady who believed enough in me, that she surprised me with the largest easel she could find! For me, this meant no more back-breaking painting on the floor!! My creativity began flowing more than ever, and has opened doors for me I had only imagined. I owe a lot of my new found success to some very important people in my life. Above all else, the Master Creator, God. The sunrises He gives us each day ... who else could do that? Secondly, my incredible, beautiful lady, Robyn—without her by my side, I may have given up on my dreams.
I would also like to take time to pay a special tribute to my mom, the late Betty J. Taylor. She did everything within her power to raise my sisters and I the best way possible. 'God bless you, Mom.'
Artists that I continue to admire include New York artist, Jacob Lawrence - the colors of his work clearly inspired me. As a child I collected 5 Norman Rockwell books, which I still have to this day. I loved looking at them, and reading all about the Saturday Evening Post magazine. The stories that Mr. Rockwell told with his works of art will be with me for life. And, finally, the 'Painter Of Light' - the one and only Thomas Kincade. He has touched us all with his great master pieces.
Thanks for visiting our website, we hope you’ll find it enjoyable and inspiring. Robyn and I look forward to meeting you in our studio as well.
- James E. Dunbar
