How to Paint Fall Trees with Alan James

Alan James, who has spent his life working as a musician and an artist, grew up in North Haven, though he now lives in Deep River. During the past two years, he said, art has completely taken over and become his main focus.

Around town, Alan James is likely better known as a musician than a visual artist. He spent a large chunk of time from the late ’70s until around 2012 pursuing his music career as both a solo artist and as part of band, playing a variety of instruments including the guitar, drums, and mandolin, among others.

A self-taught artist and musician, Alan James says he has loved art since a young age and was often found perfecting his first self-portraits in school, when he should have been focusing on other studies.

He was drawn to Impressionism because it allows an interaction with the viewer and the use of imagination rather than just presenting a replica of what the artist sees.

Alan’s favorite subjects to paint are city street scenes in the rain because of the reflection of light created by the water and the overall feeling the paintings create.

Being self-taught poses its own set of challenges, and Alan has done his part to help others along the path through publishing two instructional videos, Watercolor Secrets and “Letting It Flow.

His advice to other artists? Follow your heart and work at it every day to become better.

“Art is constant learning,” Alan says.

Watch Alan’s tutorial here:

You can contact Alan about his artwork here.  

To watch Alan’s original episode on Colour In Your Life, click here.