Hello, I am James Abell = artist and designer based in Scotland. I believe
“We Can’t Change Our Past But We Can Influence Our Futures For The Better”
We all have stories to tell about our lives so far, here is mine…
I’m inspired by popular culture, futuristic movies, abstract art, music and also natural forms found in nature.
In my art, I mix traditional with digital techniques…
“Tradigital”.
Birth = Derby Winter 1975 52.9225° N, 1.4746° W , United Kingdom.
Upbringing from 1 year = North Norfolk in England, big skies were inspiration and north sea winter squalls. Mixed with 80s and 90s culture, cold war nuclear anxiety (Threads), North American tv and sci fi movies, pizza, chocolate cake, drawing cycling, indie rock Pixies, comics, classical, jazz music, Saturday morning Japanese and French cartoons, games with my Atari ST, autumn trips to Scotland past industrial 80s northern English industry while listening to the Cure on my Sony Walkman(TM). All formed part of my visual growth. A fusion of raw nature and the ever snowballing futuristic world tumbling towards the twenty first century…
I always enjoyed drawing and making things especially with clay.
1995- 1999 Art College and graduated in Interior Design from Edinburgh College of Art in 1999 Exploration architectural spatial design and creativity. Scenery influence by rock climbing and trips to the Scottish wilderness. Result, discovery of 3D graphics + combination of traditional media and expressive architectonic aesthetics. Decided to get into 3D graphics creative work after graduation.
1999 – 2012 Worked on 3D contracts for many large companies visualising robotic arms, state of the art supermarkets, multi-million pound offshore renewable wave and wind farm projects, games and more. I also travelled extensively in the Americas, Portugal and Spain. Exploration/sketching of historical sites and modern cities. People moving through monolithic structures. Freedom of travel, surfing waves, hiking and bouldering.
Featured in 3D World Magazine and featured in two Channel 4 animation festivals and even was requested to provide one of my 3D computer model of the Hubble Space telescope to NASA’s multimedia department in Houston, Texas.
2012- 2019 Physical Journeys
I was never entirely satisfied with only just creating things on a 2D screen, so I returned to drawing, painting and in turn creating 3D sculpture work but combined it with my digital skills… “Tradigital”, expression, energy, release, combination…
I wanted to show the wonder of technology along with the passion and humanity of the traditional line and form.
During a long stay in Canada in 2015, I did an arts residency in EchoFab Montreal FabLab. Learning about the tools it exploded my the creative potential, I could use 3D printers, laser cutters to work this technology into my traditional drawing line energy work. I reach a new plane of possibility.
At this time, I visited the remnants of the Expo 67 grounds and this had a great influence on me. Especially the Buckminster Fuller Dome and the Habitat 67 building.
From there, I went on to complete art residencies at FabLab London and also FabLab Isafjordur /WestFjords in Iceland. These residencies enabled me to master the latest machines such as 3D printers, laser cutters etc, while at the same time using traditional art methods such as drawing and also my 3D graphics skills.
For more information about what a FabLab is, go to the FabFoundation website.
2019 – 2021 Covid Era Journey At Home
What strange time. Probably in a similar way to you much time spent at home and in my local vicinity, world grew and shrunk at the same time. Time to reflect, improve skills and plan for when we are free again. Use resources what have now. During this time, a major Hollywood film studio purchased one of my 3D prints as a prop for a sequence in their film. Release date of film 2022, more on this when I know too!
I also helped lots of learners using Skype and Zoom with their general creativity, 3ds Max, Blender, Substance 3D painter and more. This is now growing, contact me for more information.
2021 and the future
I will continue to create art expand, explore a little each day and also inspire others through custom tuition…
Time flies and I’m now in my “mid life” according to human chronology and the perceptions of society. I see this time as a positive time to develop my art a bit more each day and help to inspire others with their creative journeys. Join me, many higher mountains and valleys to explore in this creative universe…
I am currently based near Glasgow, Scotland and I work in London often too for art and tuition. I plan to travel more in 2024 both for work and also for exploring cities and nature…
James William Crofton Abell (c) 2024
