James Tomlinson, abstract acrylic artist & musician, has a passion for art. He often uses simple objects to convey change or poignant images depicting metaphorical lessons.
“Art, to James Tomlinson, painting, music, cooking, and floral arranging is an attempt to capture the truth. Some truths can’t be captured in words. Art is a process. . .a way of communicating. You start the conversation and then some other element guides you what to do next.”
To James, his art is an interaction between a sort of magnetic force and himself, different from day-to-day consciousness. “You have to be in the moment and super aware. It’s a state of unconsciousness, a state of being. There is energy in the moment. . .one particular truth per one particular moment. It’s recording an instant into some type of a stable format so that’s it’s not lost. It might have some meaning to someone later. Everything that happens to you in your life comes out in your art.”
Abstract painting is Tomlinson’s medium of choice. To James, “Abstract is a dialogue between a force and me and is coming in clearer and more often. That force patiently waits for us. It’s love and it doesn’t matter whether we realize it at age 50 or at age 2. Most of the brightest Scientists realize that even with all concrete science, the only absolute truth is love. I want to operate in love.”
Truth and beauty inspires James. It happens in the moment. “Truth, whether beautiful or not, is always truth. It’s part of the moment. Truth can be loneliness, sadness for the world’s suffering, or even exaltation after seeing a kid smile at you.”
Tomlinson is also an accomplished musician, a drummer. He played professionally for most of his young adult life performing throughout the US and Europe. “When I’m depressed, I play the drums. I’m in this place where time doesn’t matter and I’m connected.”
Tomlinson went on to found a graphic design business and operated it for 16 years. In 2005, Tomlinson made monumental life altering decisions. He left the business world, left an established marriage, and moved into the Sedona/Verde Valley area. “Nobody knew me. No one knew what I did. I didn’t tell anybody.” That’s when Tomlinson started painting. “For years, my image was tied up in what other people thought. Now, I’ve left that all behind. I’ve stopped caring about what other people think. It’s about my art and being in touch with that part of me.”