contemporary
James Shilaimon
biography
James Shilaimon is an embodiment of the self-taught artist who is continually searching for ways to express the artistic voice that has been with him his entire life. This inner voice has lead James to develop his artistry in several different mediums. Whether painting in oils or watercolor or sculpting in stone, James is always exploring ways to convey his stylized expression.
Growing up in Greece, the cradle of the Masters, you begin to understand this passion and some of the influence that has shaped as well as guided James and his creations. James is driven by a need to be honest with his creative voice and also to be recognized by his artistic peers for his artistry and his respect for those that came before him. James has spent a considerable amount of his artistic life pursuing commission work while developing his craft.
With each new series from James, we see touches of the masters he has studied as well as the influence of Modern Day expressionist like Paul Ecke and Don Treadway.
This series represents a seminal moment for James in his artistic endeavors. Delivering an entire body of work with a thematic component is just the beginning of the journey that James has now embarked on. His inner voice has a direction and focus that will allow us to share in the remarkable journey to come.
Chronology
Fullerton Art College, Fine Art Major 1985-90
Cypress College, Fine Arts Program 1991-92
Masters University- Florence, Italy Focus on masters painting & sculpture 2000-01
Don Treadway Sculpture, Private Studies with noted sculptor 2000-02
Paul Ecke, Mentored with noted abstractionist for new body of work – “Simple Pleasures” 2002
Exhibitions / Recognition
Honored with Bank of America Fine Arts Council Award 1982
Won Three Student Art Awards, Buena Park High School 1980-84
Awarded College Scholarship for Artistic Achievement 1984
Fullerton Art Guild “Best New Artist”, Fullerton, CA 1989
Fullerton Art Guild “Best Painting”, Fullerton, CA 1989
Fullerton Art Guild “Best Watercolor”, Fullerton, CA 1989
Fullerton College, Solo Show, Fullerton, CA 1989
Fullerton College, Group Show, Fullerton, CA 1989
Fullerton College, Group Show, Fullerton, CA 1990
Buena Park City Hall, Group Show Awarded “Best Painting” 1991
Buena Park Artist Guild, Group Show Awarded “Best New Artist” 1991
Cypress College, Group Show Awarded “Best In Show, Mixed Media” 1991
Cypress Guild Art Show, Group Show Awarded “Best new Artist” 1991
Private Collectors Show, Group Show, Salt lake City, UT 1993
Private Collectors Show, Group Show, Pasadena, CA 1994
Private Collectors Show, Group Show, Los Angeles, CA 1997
Private Collectors Show, Group Show, Laguna Beach, CA 1999
William Merrill Gallery, Solo Exhibit of “Simple Pleasures” Laguna Beach, CA 2002
Auction Show, Group Exhibit, Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing, LA, CA 2003
Award, Orange County Fair, Wine label competition, Wild Coyote Vineyard, CA 2003
Auction Show, Group Exhibit, Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing, LA, CA 2004
Auction Show, Chabad Jewish School, Laguna Beach, CA 2004
William Merrill Gallery, Group Exhibition “Landscapes” Laguna Beach, CA 2005
Private Collectors Show, Solo Show, Beverly Hills, CA 2005
Mark’s, Private Collectors Show, Solo Exhibition, West Hollywood, CA 2005
Auction Show, Group Exhibit, Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing, LA, CA 2005
William Merrill Gallery, Group Exhibition “Small Treasures” Laguna Beach, CA 2005
William Merrill Gallery, Dual Exhibition “Transformation of the Real” Laguna Beach 2006
Articles
Alternative Newspaper – Article: “Faces of the Arts” February, Buena Park, CA 1994
Winter Park Anchor Newspaper- August, San Diego, CA 1994
Coast Magazine Cover, May issue, Orange County, CA 2003
Coast Magazine Cover - Coast Kids, October issue, Orange County, CA 2005
artist statement
James Shilaimon is an embodiment of the self-taught artist who is continually searching for ways to express the artistic voice that has been with him his entire life. This inner voice has lead James to develop his artistry in several different mediums. Whether painting in oils or watercolor or sculpting in stone, James is always exploring ways to convey his stylized expression.
Growing up in Greece, the cradle of the Masters, you begin to understand this passion and some of the influence that has shaped as well as guided James and his creations. James is driven by a need to be honest with his creative voice and also to be recognized by his artistic peers for his artistry and his respect for those that came before him. James has spent a considerable amount of his artistic life pursuing commission work while developing his craft.
With the new series from James, "Simple Pleasures" we begin to see touches of the masters he has studied as well as the influence of Modern Day expressionist like Paul Ecke and Don Treadway.
It is under the tutelage of noted Abstractionist, Paul Ecke, that James developed this new series - " Simple Pleasures". Reveling in the basic pleasure that nature delivers to us, Paul Ecke has focused James and his artistic voice into a collection that delivers a vivid contemporary approach to a subject matter familiar to everyone. Composed with rich color saturation and an extraordinary textural aspect, this collection is a reflection of Paul Ecke's influence coupled with the masters touch that is such a forceful part of James Shilaimon's work.
This series represents a seminal moment for James in his artistic endeavors. Delivering an entire body of work with a thematic component is just the beginning of the journey that James has now embarked on. His inner voice has a direction and focus that will allow us to share in the remarkable journey to come.