About the artist

Charles B. James' life and career spans over 70 years, marked by diversity and international experiences. He embarked on his professional journey at Harte Hanks Newspapers, and later transitioned into the role of a database developer. His expertise led him to create databases for prominent companies like Southwestern Bell Telephone, HEB Grocery Company, and USAA, many of which are still in use today. 

Charles' life was a tapestry of experiences, as he was raised in France and Germany as a military dependent before making his way to the USA. He settled in San Antonio at the age of ten. In 1990, he moved to Helotes with his wife, Patti. In addition to his professional achievements, Charles was an active member of the local community, serving on the Helotes City Council for multiple terms. In his later years, he discovered a new passion: Urban Sketching, using pen and watercolors to capture architectural and street scenes beautifully.

My Artistic Journey

There is great JOY in the moment

Art, especially watercolor painting, provides the perfect way to savor the moment. When you observe a scene, you form an opinion and move on. Even when photographing something, you look, ascertain the best angles, take the photograph, and move on. However, when drawing a scene, you must fully engage with the subject and honestly document the natural world as you see it. Painting exactly what you see is discouraged because it can result in missing the mark and disappointment. To create a painting of your design, you should paint what you feel, not just what you see.

In the art world, there is a prevalent misconception that art is only for the talented few. This idea persists because it creates an illusion of artists as magicians who can effortlessly turn a blank canvas into a masterpiece. The reality is that art is not magic; it's the result of knowledge and hard work. Art is a skill like any other and can be learned.

I embarked on my artistic journey when I discovered Urban Sketching, a genre of painting that captivates me. Rather than being gifted with natural drawing talent, I recognized that my ability to learn and absorb the necessary skills enabled me to paint scenes. I learned from online tutorials by artists such as James Richards and Ian Fennelly. I honed these skills by sketching Old Town Helotes, a setting that resonates deeply with me. With the invaluable assistance of local historian Cynthia Leal Massey, I transformed these sketches into my first book, "The Art of Helotes." My aim in creating this book was to produce engaging, unique, and compelling art so that others could experience Old Town as I see it through my eyes.

-Charles B James