A more complete portfolio is available upon request.
Books Published: Without a Tribe http://www.blurb.com/b/�-without-a-tribe & Waunita, James, Web and Bill Ray http://www.blurb.com/books/�-wauneta-james-web-bill-ray
I view my work as the product of a life-long pursuit, aligned with a personal destiny to express spiritual and physical experiences using emotional color and symbolic form. I enjoy discovering artistic connections and purpose through world cultures, philosophy, and psychology, history of art and religion studies. A strong desire to further communicate the content of my artwork has influenced the writing of several book manuscripts such as “Without a Tribe” and dream narratives, which have influenced some of my paintings.
By working within the figurative tradition, a powerful connection occurs as a result of the position and gesture of the human form, either isolated or in relationship with other figures and symbolic references, often in landscape settings. Organization and contrast of the lyrical-Arabesque, organic and geometric elements, lend to the uniqueness and originality of my work. I enjoy gathering additional images into my canvas from a subconscious level as layers develop. I have established a personal symbolic imagery, consistent in theme and subject. The “telling of a dream” and “performance of painting” have become part of Myth-Making for me.
Portraiture holds special interest with me. Several commissioned portraits in Japan, Arizona and Nebraska. I enjoy developing the portrait to mask and finally into “Shadow Man” sculptures. These little spirit shadows stand as a suggestion of a spirit world, composed of multiple human, animal and angelic spirit forms with colorful organic decoration. A mask over the shadow-like, dark stained wood figure lends to the detached and otherworldly appearance of these sculptures.
The “Shadow Man” sculptures were published in the Scottsdale Magazine, Nov-Dec 2002 issue during a Carefree Sculpture Garden Exhibit and they continue to be popular as they evolve over time. I have designed a “Phase II” metal alternative in these portrait-based sculptures. This enhances their potential for placement as Public Art.
Since I already enjoyed multi-media and life-long learning, it is not so much a stretch as one might think to also tap into Graphics and Digital Arts / New Media for additional tools for expression and promotion.
