Events, Exhibits & Gallery News
James will be out and about in California’s beautiful Sierra Mountain region attending an art showing at Truckee’s newest art gallery, ART TRUCKEE, located in “Historic Downtown Truckee”. You will want to add this new art venue to your “things-to-do” list when visiting. Lovely paintings and photography of the Sierra region, and beautiful sculpture and blown glass works as well! Hope your visit is grand!
Dates are as follows: June 9, 10, 11, & 12, 2016
Time: 10 am – 10pm
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Atelier One @ Studio 6 – SF North Bay
2860 Bowen St. | Graton, CA 95444
Time: 10 AM – 5 PM
2016 Dates: May 21st, June 18th, July 16th, August 20th, September 17th, October 15th
Remember while you are here to visit Historic Graton for local food, wine, antiques & art
Recently, James made news when Tahoe Quarterly’s copy editor, Ali Bender, contacted him with the opportunity to be added to the mix of artist’s painting or photographing the lake, for their “BEST OF TAHOE 2016” issue. With honor James accepted and we couldn’t be more proud.
We have copied the article here for an easy read without leaving this site, but we have added the link to the article “Seven Views of Tahoe” at Tahoe Quarterly’s online magazine for authenticity. You will need to scroll to the bottom of the feature to view the segment on Jim. Thank you Ali for a very good read.
“For me, Lake Tahoe is about the composition that is created when light is cast upon the water and its surrounding shoreline. I enjoy all aspects of its changing color throughout the day. When I first set out to paint Lake Tahoe, the eastern shore is what really did it for me. The early morning light creates softer shadows and the color of the water is a perfect shade of emerald blue; its sandy bottom against the boulders creates a geometric pattern that adds interest to the scene.” -James Babcock
A self-taught artist, James English Babcock began painting in high school, around the time he and his family moved to the Sonoma County town of Healdsburg. He was inspired by rolling vineyards, hills and farms, and his work, in realistic detailing, reflects Wine Country’s brilliant foliage and the blues and grays of the nearby coast.
But, he says, as an avid backpacker, his greatest love is the Sierra Nevada, and he found himself drawn to Lake Tahoe and the alpine scenery. “Most of my mountain, lake and river scenes are an expression of my time spent in the Sierra,” he says. “Its vast expanse has inspired me to paint large-format paintings that give one the feel of actually being there.”
After retiring from a career in the bottled water industry, Babcock now paints full-time. “I am always looking for ways to better my skills.” He finds artists whose style he enjoys and seeks them out for classes or mentorships. “Studying their work and the practices they have developed does not change my detailed style, but only improves upon it.”
Babcock particularly enjoys painting Hope Valley, the Upper Yuba River, Old Highway 40 near Donner Pass and Lake Tahoe’s East Shore, “with its lovely aqua water and granite boulder outcroppings.” He paints with acrylics when he’s working in the studio and oils when he’s painting in the field.
Babcock’s wife, Lynne, encourages his work, managing the business side of Babcock’s career as well as his website and marketing. Babcock has three stepchildren, seven grandchildren and a miniature half dachshund-pug named Rosie.
“It is such a joy to be able to paint, to do the very thing I love for a living,” says Babcock. “But, for me, it is more than that because I dearly love the outdoors and the beauty of creation. Finding that beauty and expressing it in an artistic form that opens the eyes of others is the true joy of it.”
James Babcock’s works can be found here.
-Writer and editor Alison Bender is also inspired by Lake Tahoe’s beauty, though she is usually inspired to sit on the beach with a cocktail.
Come catch a little snow beauty this month in the Tahoe region while visiting Art Obsession Gallery in Truckee. James will host a one man show and sale during the month of March on Thursday, Friday & Saturday; the 17th, 18th & 19th. So if the dry seasons for the past several years has held you back now is the time to enjoy a winter wonderland in the Sierras. Check gallery info below.
LOCATION
Art Obsessions Gallery
10015 West River Street | Truckee, CA 96161
(916) 257-8222 | (530) 536-3225
HOURS
Monday-Friday: Open at 11am
Saturday: Open at 11am
Sunday: Open at 11am
PARKING
Metered street parking is free before 10am & after 6pm
One of the hardest things to acquire as an artist is a great studio to work out of. More than three years ago I applied for studio space at Atelier One located in the heart of wine country, not far from home. It’s an old vintage 1930s brick industrial building converted into work space for artists in a small west county town known as Graton, California. This step back in history has lots of local scenery surrounding it, perfect for an artist looking to avail themselves with inspiration, all the makings for great art. Well, it was a long three-year wait, but when the opportunity came calling I jumped on it. It was quite a lovely surprise as I had long forgotten about finding any out-of-the-house space for creating art.
Now, that I have a place to work and sell my art I have many things planned for the near future close to home, such as open house tours, Art Trails, and local art-wine events. I would love for many to come and visit, so please keep in touch by checking back often for updates and coming events. You can still visit many of the galleries that my work has been selling in for years, but this new venue completes one more length to the long mile I’ve been on.
Studio Location:
Atelier One Studio 6 – SF North Bay (
2860 Bowen St. | Graton, CA 95444
For a number of years Christie’s Staging & Design has featured my art work in some of Napa Valley’s premier homes and properties. It is always a pleasure working with owner Christie Greenwade as she is a gracious and hard-working designer who showcases some of the most beautiful homes in this wine country region. Homeowners, real estate agents and co-designers depend on her eye for contrast and a focus on every detail to bring all elements of design together when featuring a home. I am always honored when she uses my art to highlight a setting that she has staged.
Featured in this room is one of my vineyard scenes Eastside Sunset. This original painting was a perfect choice to cast a restful feel without sacrificing the color needed to offset this room’s neutral tones. To inquire about this painting follow links to my contact form here on this site. Send me a note of inquiry and I will be sure to get back with you soon. To learn more about Christie’s Staging & Design follow links to HOUZZ Christie’s Staging & Design.
Planning a trip in the fall to explore the eastern slopes of the Sierra’s is a great experience, and, one of the greatest benefits you can receive is walking through an Aspen grove. Each step leads you from one beautiful scene to the next, especially in the afternoons as the latter light of the day filters its way through the trees, creating lovely patterns from the tree’s shadows, as depicted in this rendition of “Golden Quakies” from last Fall’s journey to Bridgeport, California.
I do love painting the places I visit and sharing my experience with you through this medium will hopefully inspire you to make a trip. Bridgeport, California is a great place with so much to see and explore. It’s also a great family vacation spot as well. There’s lots of camping, fishing, hiking, and beauty as far as the eye can see or wherever your feet may take you. Simply put, it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the beauty around you!
So, I encourage you to go for it. Let me know what you discover!
Jim
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Afternoon Shadows | 36″ x 48″ | Acrylic on Canvas
For more information on this painting contact James through the contact information form here on this site.
For me this painting really hits home. I spent many years in my lifetime backpacking, and as I would begin any number of journeys into the mountains I always felt as if I were coming home.
On my recent trip to the Sierras this past fall we drove up to Glacier Lodge. This lodge was made famous by renown artist, Edgar Payne, who often stayed at the lodge and would horse-pack in from there to a group of lakes to paint in the great outdoors.
I arrived to this place in the late afternoon and hiked my way in just a bit. Standing along this trail gave me the feeling that I must come back to venture further down the trail. I wouldn’t be satisfied with just a few photos. Using the photo references of my experience from that day to create this painting left me with the same feeling I had standing on that trail, a deep desire to make it back to the wilderness and complete the journey that I was not able to finish at that time. Backpacking has a way of always stirring up a wonder of whats around the next bend in the trail, just as this painting leaves you with a feeling of what’s ahead as well!
Into the Wilderness is one of many new paintings of my latest experience in the beautiful Sierra Mountains.
It was back-to-back shows this past holiday weekend. Friday night, the 12th, Lynne and I attended Sebastopol Center for the Arts annual members show. It was a first for me at SCA, and wow, what an outstanding group of talented artists. So proud to have my work hanging at this venue. Looking forward to more events with this bunch in 2015.
On Saturday, the 13th, I headed out for Clarksburg, on the Sacramento Delta, hoping the torrents of rain wouldn’t flood the valley floor, along with the highways and byways to getting there. Fortunately, the levels remained safe and Rendevous Winery hosting the Second Saturday Art Walk was still open for business. Seems the storm didn’t keep art and wine lovers away from exploring the area.
As the featured artist I held a painting demonstration throughout the day. Meeting the public and working with the winery staff is always the best part of getting out and about for a show.
Well, I guess this brings me to the end with regard to shows for 2014. You’ll have to keep your eyes wide open for upcoming news and events as there are many opportunities this coming year. It’ll all be posted on the Events Schedule and News page tabs here on this site,
Happy Holidays to All,
Jim
Jim will exhibit this beautiful oil on canvas of California’s Sonoma Coast. Please check out dates and times for 2014 Holiday Show at SCA Annual Members Show.
Your purchase will help to further the arts as Jim will make a 40% donation to Sebastopol Center for the Arts upon sale of this piece. Follow the link for more info on the many art programs available to our community offered through SCA.
Sebastopol Center for Arts makes ART happen in Sonoma County!
Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Friday 10am – 4pm Saturday 1 – 4pm Map & Directions
Babcock Originals 