James Ayers graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1991. After graduation, he spent time traveling on foot with the semi-nomadic Samburu and Turkana people in Africa's Great Rift Valley. He then spent three years visiting Native American Reservations from Maine to Arizona, living with the Iroquois in the Northeast, the Sioux in the Great Plains and the Hopi in the Southwest. These experiences have given him empathy with the struggle of indigenous people to survive in the modern world and a desire to keep the beauty, honor and tradition of these vanishing cultures alive through his art. James Ayers' art reflects the emotional connections he has made with the indigenous peoples with whom he has spent time. These connections have enabled him to develop many visual images inspired by experience, explorations and observation of the different lands and people. He translates these visual images with oil paint to canvas. James finds that oil paint is an ideal medium for capturing the depth, drama and spirit of the subject matter he paints. Several artists, whose art and lives have inspired and influenced James throughout his career include Henry Tanner, John Singer Sargent, Gauguin, Gustav Limt and others. James says, "I continue to be inspired by the people and world around me. Exploring it creatively has led me to produce the artwork I am making today."

(Courtesy of AskArt)

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