Known locally as “that artist/dentist,” James takes his manual dexterity and aesthetic sense from the dental chair to the pastel canvas. Why do I primarily use pastels? The thick luxuriant colors, the expressive marks, and the textural feel of the pastel sticks suit me well. Though by definition I am self-taught, I find great inspiration in Cézanne’s use of visual space, Wolf Kahn’s evocation of light and color, Josef Alber’s abstractions, and Johannis Itten’s color theory. Most importantly, I am the father of three grown children, grandfather of six, and am happily married to Jean for 43 years. I was raised in Portland and Jean in Salem to long-time Oregon families with several lines tracing back to the earliest of Corvallis homesteaders, scrappy settlers who’d made their way across the Oregon Trail. Oregon is our place. It’s where we belong and will always know as home, and it will always remain my favorite inspiration as a painting muse. We also find ourselves continually returning to Europe because the ancient cities and lush countryside speak to me—places vibrant with history and life. In each work, I try to express the colors, textures and curvature of this amazing land. So many contrasts: the blue skies and seas contrast with the gritty stone work; the myriad of colors of the glass works; the hues at dusk; the graceful archways and domes everywhere we turned. James Southworth has been a poster artist for the Salem Wine & Food Festival, the Keizer Iris Festival (twice), and the Salem Art Fair & Festival. His work has been awarded Best of Show for the Northwest Pastel Society International Show (twice), Best of Show for the Artist in Action “Red” Show, and the Canson Award for the Pastel Society of America Show in New York City.