My
Story

Artist Statement

My connection with the natural world began in the rural environment of my youth in northern New Hampshire.  Now living in the mountains of Montana, my work continues to be inspired by experiencing the natural world in which I interact with and exploring the concept of place and its relation to my work.
During my creative process I transform memories of my explorations from snapshots of static landscapes into living, moving compositions.
 My background in architecture helps give me a unique perspective of the forms, colors, and patterns present within the places I visit. I incorporate these elements into my paintings to create bold interpretations of familiar landscapes.

Biography

James Weikert is an oil painter and architectural designer living and working in Bozeman, Montana.  Growing up in a small, rural town in the White Mountains of New Hampshire allowed him to spend countless hours exploring the surrounding forests, rivers, and mountains.
James first developed an interest in oil painting while attending Norwich University in Vermont. James created a unique painting style that blended elements of illustration, painting, and technical drafting using techniques he learned while studying architecture..
After living near the New Hampshire seacoast, James moved to Montana in 2003.  The dramatic landscapes of the northern Rocky Mountains immediately influenced his work. This new inspiration compelled James to focus on progressing his technique and his understanding of the western landscape.

ABOUT

Process

"Never throw your process work away!" was a phrase drilled into my head in architecture school;
I eventually listened. Like most artists, every one of my paintings begins as a rough sketch. Some are no more than an inch or two wide. Some get colored, some don't. Some are perfect after the first sketch, some are scrapped after re-working a sketch several times. Click below to learn more about my process and technique.

Process