By Michele Robertson
Going along Riverside Drive, one can see many beautiful and grandiose homes. Another sight for the eyes on that drive is the life-size sculptures in the yard of James Pinkett. Pinkett, a multi-discipline artist, brings life to his thoughts.
He started painting around the age of eight with his grandmother, beginning with flowers and landscapes, “Bob Ross kind of stuff, starting with acrylics and quickly moving to oils,” he said. “My grandma always said to find something you love that you could still do when you’re 80,” he added.
Much of Pinkett’s artwork is on the large side, with many paintings averaging 24” x48” in size. “I started my work super big, then realized not everyone had space for large pieces,” he said. While his collection of large pieces is in the hundreds, he has a few that are smaller.
With a master’s in architecture and interests like biology, ecology, fantasy, and surrealism, Pinkett’s work is full of influence from the space around him. Sharing thoughts about the space we live in, he feels that “we become the landscape we inhabit,” and much of that is reflected in his art, integrating architecture into human form. Having grown up in Farmington, one can see some of that area’s architectural influences in his work. Also, having had more than one back surgery, one can see that experience in a few of his pieces as well.
While most of his work is painted, he has a variety of sculptures he welded out of discarded bits like gears and bicycle parts and recycled oil field material, as well as ceramic works of art. Pinkett was also a glass blower through college and is a self-taught machinist. He also tinkers and builds things like easels for his paintings, shelves, and his computer, with many of his tinkering components being upcycled from other things.
“Art is an involuntary compulsion at this point. I have a lot to express and have to get it out. It becomes a meditative experience,” Pinkett shared. “I find it fun; I love making stuff and seeing it come to life,” he added.
Experimenting with texture, some works can take months—up to 18 or more to dry—before he can add more, resulting in artwork that can take years to complete. The fastest he’s created something was in a day, while the most time he has spent on a painting was 400-500 hours. Not all consecutively but collectively over the years.
“My thoughts become physical form. Plus, I want to see cool stuff, so sometimes you have to make it yourself,” said Pinkett. He hopes to create a meaningful connection with art, “to have a connection with art outside of the English language.”
He thinks it is important for people to find their own meaning in art, as it is different for everyone, and where value is generated, there is general appreciation.
His studio consists of an authentic mix of masks from around the globe to ceramic ones he created at home. It has plants, animals, projects, and inspiration, and cultural influences abound.
“I hate to ascribe too much meaning to paintings; everyone sees something different, “ Pinkett said. “It’s always interesting to hear what people see in my art. Sometimes, it is way weirder than I originally thought,” he laughed.
Pinkett’s work is available for viewing at his website, https://www.jamespinkettart.com/, or by cruising down Riverside Drive to see some of the sculptures.
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