Some call him “the Black Picasso.”
That’s because when it comes to diversity in an amazing body of acclaimed work, this artist is not only the exception but the Ruel.
Just as Picasso was an innovator, globally renowned Ruel James is always coming up with new artistic elements. in four different mediums – sculpting, acrylic and oil painting, drawing, and mixed medium. At the root of it all is “Commitment,” which is the name of his latest exhibition that opened to the public at the Go Go X Marketing gallery in Town Square. The gallery and the exhibition has moved to Neonopolis in downtown Las Vegas. Everything is available for purchase.
“I’m proud of it all,” James says. “When it comes to inspiration, when I wake up in the morning it is just there. There is something in my collection for everyone. Mu pieces are one of kind. It takes a strong commitment to the creative process to produce a series like the collected works on view in the gallery. One has to devote time and dedication to the creation of art, which is my commitment.”
Born in Jamaica and growing up in London, James studies extensively attending several venues of art education including the Royal College of Art. Upon graduating, he became a photo retoucher for a commercial studio. He went from retouching photos of cars to drawing them on paper/ He worked in 14 different countries over 25 years as a commissioned illustrator and retoucher and eventually became internationally known for his own energizing car paintings of Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Mercedes, Panther and more.
“I was four years old when I drew my first car,” James recalls. “I loved cars and I eventually became a racecar driver. I like doing car art more than the others/”
“I started sculpting a long time ago when I was in London,” he adds. “I started by fixing sculptures damaged by World War II. I liked it and started making sculptures of women. I do some really large pieces.”
Women have also been a major inspiration in his paintings and drawings. James is known for specializing in the realistic photogenic quality of female paintings and sculpture. Along with that, he is also recognized for his celebrity aet. Former President Bill Clinton is just one of the proud owners of James’ work – a portrait of Hillary Clinton. Possessing a strong passion for Jazz Art and Black Art, James has also created uncanny likenesses of icons such as Bob Marley, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, B.B, King, Barack Obama, Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Whoopi Goldberg, and Ray Charles.
James has resided in Las Vegas for the past 29 years. His art has sold extensively in Caesars Palace Forum Shops.
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