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Jim Warren is one of the most creative and prolific
artists of our time.
If you are not familiar
with his name, you have undoubtedly seen his work. His fine
art paintings and personalized portraitures have been commissioned
by a clientele list that includes world-famous celebrities and
prominent business leaders, and his collaborations with marine
life artist, Wyland, are widely acclaimed. His paintings have
been seen around the world on billboards, large outdoor murals,
set props for TV shows, and Fine Art Galleries coast to coast
now carry his works.
Jim has also illustrated over
200 book covers for major New York publishers, including titles
from authors such as Arthur C. Clark, Clive Barker and Robin
Cook. He has created collectible movie posters and magazine
covers, numerous album and CD covers including the Grammy award-winning
cover for Bob Seger's album, "Against The Wind."
Born and raised in Long Beach,
California, at age seven Jim knew he wanted to be a painter.
However it would be several years before a pivotal event helped
shape the developing, self-taught artist's career: the day he
picked up an issue of "Life Magazine" and discovered
Salvador Dali.
Looking at Dali's paintings
in Life, Jim realized his own art could be anything he wanted
it to be, and, while influenced by Dali, Norman Rockwell, Andy
Warhol, Rembrandt, Magritte, Monet, Peter Max and others, he
set out to further develop his own unique style of painting.
In 1986, Jim was commissioned
to create a painting for another gifted individual, world-renowned
recording artist, Prince. Jim was given very limited information
on which to base the painting other than a one-page sheet containing
13 instructions such as, "a fat man hugging a tiger,"
"two men with hair shorter on one side, playing the tambourine."
Jim was instructed, "use your imagination," which,
of course, he did. Upon completion of the painting he was told
that Prince loved it.
Currently, Jim focuses primarily
on his fine art paintings. Yet in spite of the strong, ongoing
demand for these works, he has managed to find time to create
two books: "The Art of Jim Warren," and "Jim
Warren, Painted Worlds." Both contain clear and colorful
representations of his works, many of which combine, as Jim
has stated, "the effect of the real mixed with a touch
of the unreal, to make you feel as though you're actually seeing
something that in reality couldn't possibly be. Although Mother
Nature is my favorite art director, I do take artistic license
to create environments of my own."
When questioned by an acquaintance
recently concerning what aspect of his work gave him the most
pleasure, Jim replied, "the letters and emails I get from
people around the world who say they have been touched in some
way by my paintings. The fact that my art can create an effect
like that for some people, and act as a positive influence in
their lives, means a great deal to me."
Such is the Art of Jim Warren.
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