Growing up with a talented family, Paul James always knew that he was destined to work in a creative field. In school, James thrived in both art and music, and he initially thought that he would grow up to be a concert pianist or rock star. However, James eventually decided that his true calling was in fine art. Ignoring the advice of his art teacher to attend art school to study the more lucrative field of graphic design, James instead hung around his local Ferrari dealership painting exotic and classic cars as well as taking commissions to paint pet portraits. In 1986, James committed himself to painting professionally, and he moved his home and studio onto a boat, where he could always travel to a new source of inspiration. With an ever-changing background, James became well-known for his stunning landscapes. More recently, the focus of James’s landscapes has shifted to animals, giving his work a more humorous feel.

James claims that M.C. Escher, Salvador Dali, and David Shepherd have been major influences on his work, and he is always looking for inspiration and a new place to take his boat.