“What Is and What Was” is a captivating collection of expressive abstract paintings exploring the fragility and resilience of the human experience and the interplay between the present and the past. Guided by intuition, James digs deep into a dialogue of what is and what was, exploring how it reflects changes in our lives— differing states of health (sickness or wholeness); differing states of mind (anxiety or contentment); differing states of engagement (active or passive). Each painting in this series explores life’s transitions as viewed through the artist’s personal journey. As she begins her artistic process, James allows her instincts and truth to guide her, making quick, gestural marks that build into layers of color, texture, and spatial relationships. After numerous layers, a sense of balance and harmony begins to formulate the composition. The complexity and multi-layered nature of James’ soulful paintings invites the viewer to intimately explore their own memories and life changes. “What Is and What Was” is a beautiful reminder of the power of art to profoundly connect us all, regardless of our backgrounds or beliefs, and to help us find meaning and beauty in the world around us. ​ Scroll down below to view art still available for sale from the "What Is and What Was" exhibition. . .