James S. Durtschi original artwork is available through the artist, please use the contact form below.
I am a painter currently living in Madison, Wisconsin. Self taught, trial and error have been my teacher. Probably not the most advisable way to learn, but it has worked for me. I have worked as a Graphic Designer and in IT working on websites and web applications, and now full time as the artist I wanted to be when I was twelve years old.
Currently I concentrate on landscapes, clouds and people in oil paint. I also sketch people in pencil and charcoal to improve his drawing skills. Over the years my style has progressed from realistic acrylics to a more looser style using oil paint.
Painting is a constant struggle to improve my skills to hopefully come up with work that satisfies me. The more I paint, the more I am finding that I am less satisfied with the work I am doing. This results in painting over work that might be “finished” and starting anew with another work.
My greater challenge is with painting the figure or face. The challenge of proportions and color mixing is a very humbling experience. But I would not change the experience of being an artist for anything in the world.