James Faecke

Artist Bio

I have always loved to draw and began my work career as an architectural draftsman, later making the transition into art through architectural illustration, something I pursued throughout my architectural career. After receiving a BFA in studio art from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1981, I moved to Wisconsin and became a registered architect, continuing to work in the architectural profession until 1999. At that time, I had an opportunity to work full time as an architectural illustrator, working primarily in watercolor. Druing my 15 years of Illustration work, I was an active member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators and I am grateful to have received numerous "Awards of Excellence" for my illustrations. I began painting en Plein Air in 2012 and fell in love with the whole Plein Air movement, as much for the wonderful people involved as for the work itself. Within a few years I was able to begin painting full-time, working both en plein air and in the studio. Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to have received numerous awards for my watercolor paintings.

Artist Statement

Although I do work in other mediums, my first love has always been watercolor. For me, it is unlike any other medium in the variety of possibilities in its application. Literally any subject can become a playground for exploration of its intrinsic qualities. My goal in creating my images is to share with the viewer that moment of joyful awareness or wonder that is an integral part of the process of translating a visual subject into a painting. Weather it is a landscape, still life or a portrait, we see the world through our hearts and minds as much as through our eyes. Relating that visual experience in watercolor is an interesting and ongoing challenge that keeps me painting.