James Bason paints what he grew up with—not the majestic mountain peaks often seen in western art, but the vast open prairie, the windy vistas, the distant mountain ranges, or simply the space between things—like a clump of grass, some willows, or snowdrifts beneath the big sky of Montana. If his work evokes any emotion, he feels he has achieved something. By moving the viewer and engaging them in a deeper conversation, James’s goal is not just to depict a place but to capture a feeling or mood, which he believes is at the heart of art. This connection is what he finds most fascinating. His painting process usually starts with an image taken during his daily walks. Inspired by the light, color, sounds, and smells of the environment, James aims to evoke a specific mood. Rarely does the finished painting resemble the original image; instead, he paints intuitively, always seeking those elusive happy accidents that make each piece unique.