James studied at both Nottingham Trent university and the Royal Academy of Art. James currently is a part time lecturer of painting at Warwickshire college, Leamington. He also runs his own garden design business, which in turn fuels his inspiration to paint the flora and fauna that inhabit these spaces.

Following a path led by a curiosity for nature and found objects James' work is a diverse mixture of formal, lucid and mixed mark making. James works both in the field and in the studio. An informed enthusiasm is what brings together the diverse choice of subjects into a coherent collection of experiences. These experiences are expressed through watercolour, acrylic and oil, satisfying a need to discover, document and enrich.

James has exhibited at the Royal Academy and won prizes including, The Sunday Times watercolour competition.