James Herring

North Charleston, SC

I consider myself a landscape artist. During travels through the country as a child, I was fascinated by the seemingly forgotten fields and buildings which make up a majority of the south. To me, these buildings exude emotions waiting to be captured, and that is why I am pulled to paint them.

Art has played a major role in my life since I was 5. As long as I can remember, I had a fascination with the ships I would see in the Charleston harbor. I would come home and draw them with paper and crayons. Through these drawings and my obsession, my parents saw my potential and signed me up for art lessons with my first art teacher, Mrs. Teresa. She taught me elements and principles of art as well as realism when it came to perspective. With her guidance I was able to apply and get into Charleston County School of the Arts, where I have been for the past 7 years.

I am exceptionally grateful to be at the School of the Arts. For an hour and a half daily I fully immerse myself in different mediums of art. I have talented teachers who teach me important skills I need to learn, and they are always pushing me to try new methods and techniques. With their guidance I have developed my confidence and found my creative process. Most often, I first take photographs of rural scenes. I carry my camera in the car all the time. I then analyze my photographs to find emotional value based on elements. My favorites become the paintings you see included here.