James Allan Wheeler was born in 1944 in Glasgow, Scotland. He studied at the Glasgow School of Art and trained as a carpet designer before moving to England where he worked for one of the largest carpet manufacturers in Yorkshire. It was here, as Design Studio Manager, where he carved a highly successful career to become one of the UK’s leading carpet designers.

 

With colour and composition being so important in his professional designs, James allowed this to flow naturally through the subtlety of hue and texture in his landscapes. Painting primarily in oils on cork, his work straddles the contemporary and the timeless, inviting viewers to a personal interpretation of his painting.

 

It is in the light and atmosphere of the landscape, where James aims to mix "memory and desire". Inspiration is drawn from visits to his homeland, Scotland; and from holidays spent in France, Venice and the Mediterranean islands. Closer to home, his love of the Lake District and the magnificent Yorkshire scenery also inspires.

 

James has had many successful exhibitions in the north of England and was the Regional Winner of the Laing Art Exhibitions in 1991. He was invited to show at Leicestershire Art for Schools and Colleges Exhibition in 1992. He had work exhibited at the Leeds Open Art Exhibition in 2004.