Biography of James DeWeaver : Australian Pastellist
This is not so much of a Bio, rather a very brief recounting of why I chose this life as an Artist.
My artistic sense’s had remained “on hold” while I was living in Sydney, and unhappy as a Chef, until I decided to move to Byron Bay in the summer of 1999, and soon life and living were very different.
I moved into backpackers accommodation called The Arts Factory Lodge, and began to meet the world. Literally!
Young people like me from everywhere, on an unknown journey through time and life, not intent on spending anywhere too long or be caught up in routine.
I was fortunate to have met, though not realizing fully at the time, Artists that would achieve worldwide appeal, through being true Artistic individuals.
T.S.Eliot once said "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go”.
Spencer Tunick is one example of this individual, I knew prior to his arrival at the Arts Factory, and was virtually anonymous everywhere at the time, and can recall when I watched him appeal to the audience at the talent night, which comprised mainly of foreign backpackers, to be in his “photo shoot” the following morning at 7:30, and to be there totally nude! The young audience was in total disbelief until I got up and told them it was in fact for real, and it would probably be worth their while to be in it, and it was. The following morning about 40 “models” or so turned out to be photographed in their birthday suit. Inspired!
My works are done from and for my own artistic inspiration, not always for sale or to be put into galleries.
I don’t limit myself in what I draw or the style I choose to do it, being a self taught artist, I’m not limited to so called artistic conventions of doing something, in any other way, than my own.
James DeWeaver 23-6-08
