“Diversity” is a key word in describing James Rowland’s life and artwork. Born in San Antonio, Texas; he was adopted into an artistic family and influenced by his grandfather who painted in his spare time. But most notably James was influenced by his uncle, the late renowned artist Frank Rowland from Altoona.

Showing great interest in art at the age of eight, his father encouraged and supplied James with materials and equipment to foster his talents. Later in high school James enrolled in Commercial Art and graduated from Cumberland/Perry Vocational Technical school in central Pennsylvania. In his senior year he won second place in the local Zembo Shrine Circus program cover contest, and his artwork was selected for the cover. He also followed and was greatly influenced by fantasy artist Frank Frazetta.

James is a military veteran who served in the US Army where he continued creating art for his fellow veterans in his spare time with drawings and sketching while overseas. He returned to art after 35 years, building a small studio in his home in Mechanicsburg, PA. He is prolific, self-taught and works mainly in oil and acrylic, painting landscapes, still life and abstracts. He refuses to be limited to one style or mode of communicating his feelings and emotions. This results in a diversity in his imagery. All his art shows a highly developed sensitivity to form, color and line. This allows him to steer the viewer into a common emotional response for each piece; yet allows the viewer to interpret the art from their own feelings and associations.