James Giaccio is a contemporary representational painter. Largely self-taught, his visual style has been developed through long practice and dedication. He works in a variety of media and across a range of subject matter. Choosing mainly watercolor for still life, floral and figurative subjects, Mr. Giaccio's technique – attention to detail, charged areas of saturated color, generous glazing, all supported by heavyweight Arches paper – moves the image away from the transparency often associated with watercolor and more toward the opacity found in other media. When his focus turns to landscape, his approach is somewhat different. He prefers oil, acrylic and pastel, as he finds their characteristics effective for rendering the genre's variable space and light. He also lessens detail to some extent to emphasize the more atmospheric and abstract elements of land, sea and sky. Born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, Mr. Giaccio displayed an interest in fine art and a talent for drawing and painting from an early age. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University, he attended Parsons School of Design in Manhattan to study commercial art. He enjoyed early success as an illustrator, with portraiture and editorial illustrations appearing in various publications. His portraits were often purchased by their subjects after publication. In time Mr. Giaccio came to find commercial art unfulfilling and chose to put his career on hold. He then joined a family business outside the arts, attendant to the needs of raising a family of his own. However, his interest in fine art and desire to paint never subsided, and in recent years he returned to the easel in earnest. James Giaccio lives with his wife Carolyn in Summit, New Jersey, and dedicates his days now to painting in the comfort of his home studio.