He studied graphics at Birmingham College of Art and Design in the late sixties.  It was there that he created a Union Jack bowler hat which won a national design competition. It now resides in the New York Museum of Design.

 

James became an art director in advertising, eventually joining a top London illustration agency, where he worked on some of the biggest national and international ad campaigns.

 

In recent years, James has developed his talents into fine art, with work published in Europe and the USA:  “I work in two distinct styles: the Art Deco flat color image, influenced by posters of the inter-war period, and a more traditional, painterly style, of acrylic on canvas. With either one I like to capture the way the light shines and reflects on the surface of the vehicle, giving a very solid metallic feel. I also think it’s important to use a setting that’s appropriate to its era and style.”

 

Brian’s love for Art Deco began as a boy, with many British cinemas, buildings and homes created in that style.  His interest has since grown into all things from the 1920s and 30s period, including his love of cars, as portrayed here in the Art Deco Collection.

 

A member of the Guild of Motoring Artists, James has exhibited his work at Goodwood (both the Festival of Speed and the Revival Meeting), at the International Historic Motorsport Show, and in motorsport art galleries.

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