BIO:
James’ main focus is painting. His approach is rooted in observational representation, though his work can range from figurative to abstract. The relationships between man-made forms and naturally occurring forms, and the repetition of shapes from micro to macro scales are recurring themes in James’ work. His biggest artistic influences include Giorgio Morandi, Ralston Crawford, Walter Burt Adams, Philip Guston, Aleš Veselý, Carmen Herrera and Euan Uglow.
James studied illustration, painting, industrial deisgn, architecture and art history at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). He earned a BFA in Industrial Design in 2008. While at RISD, he also took courses at Brown University and Pont-Aven School of Contemporary Art, in France. Although James majored in industrial design, he has always been an artist at heart. He currently lives and works in New York City, where he maintains a professional career in the retail store design + fabrication industry.
When James isn’t painting, he writes / illustrates an autobiographical comic book series called THA SHACK. Comic creators who have inspired James the most include Todd McFarlane, Rob Schrab, Sam Keith and Jim Lee.
PURCHASING / CONTACT INFO:
The PAINTINGS FOR SALE page lists pricing on available art works. Please e-mail James at jamescogbill@gmail.com if you are interested in buying an existing piece, or if you are interested in commissioning something new.
On THA SHACK COMIC BOOK page, copies of James’ comic book, and T-shirts based on the characters, can be ordered directly from this site.