James Asher

James Asher approaches watercolor with boldness and attention to detail that is rarely seen today. A traditionalist, Asher is mindful of the philosophy of being true to nature in the creation of his work. Born in Butler, Missouri, a small farming community near Kansas City, he attended Central Missouri University on an art scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. He then attended the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, California, where he earned a B.F.A. degree.

While studying at the Art Center, he developed a dedication to traditional painting techniques. For a short while, he pursued a career in advertising, but soon became restless and returned to his passion for painting. He moved to Arizona and saturated himself with the lore of the cowboy and the pueblo Indian culture. He traveled often to Mexico and painted the markets there. Then, in 1982, after a severe bout with an allergy to turpentine, he reacquainted himself with watercolor. As his interest in watercolor evolved, his interest in subject matter broadened. His first show in London inspired his first large body of European subjects. With his studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico, he travels and paints on location around the world. Painting destinations have included have included France, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands, England, Chile, Kashmir, Ireland, Mexico, Greece, and the Western United States.

His many exhibitions include the Gilcrease Museum, the National Museum of Taiwan, The Albuquerque Museum of Fine Art, The Montgomery Museum of Fine Art, the Fine Arts Museum of Santa Fe, the Artists of America show at The Denver Historical Society, The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and The Royal Watercolour Society in London.

Mr. Asher has been featured in American Artist Magazine, Southwest Art, Western Art Digest, The Artist’s Magazine, The Artist’s Sketchbook and many other prestigious publications. He has been included in many of North Light Publishing’s Splash series.