We recently had the chance to connect with James Owens and have shared our conversation below.
James, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Making things. I hear the term “maker” a lot these days. Never considered myself a maker, I guess I never thought about it that much. I just make things. I make paintings, drawings, I’ve learned to shape sheet metal and customize cars, I like to restore old furniture and other things. I am kinda “The man of a thousand hobbies” but they all involve making something. When I get into the minutia of making something hours go by that feel like minutes!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a realist oil painter by trade. I have a misspent youth in the advertising business and have spent my life creating visual art in just about every medium there is but a few years ago I devoted myself to oil painting. Of all the mediums I’ve worked in, oil brings me greatest challenges and also the greatest joy.
In the past few years my subject matter has turned from classic automobile paintings to pieces that are influenced by the Tiki subculture. I found it is much more fun to paint pretty girls in flowery dresses than cold sheet metal.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My wife! Without a doubt! If I’m honest I would have to say that when I was young I was a lazy artist. Did just enough to get by. Never invested my entire self in my work. My head was always someplace else. My wife is a woman of class and dignity that modeled a work ethic of commitment and excellence that I wanted to learn and emulate. I’m happy to say that her attitude toward doing the best you can rubbed off on me. Now, weather a project succeeds or fails I sleep well at night knowing I did the very best job I could at that time.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I actually did give up. After about a decade in the ad business I was pretty burnt out from the deadlines and the strain that business can put on a marriage. Didn’t want to be an artist anymore so I quit. Didn’t draw or paint anything for more than a year. But the thing about creative people is that it is in their bones to create. It’s in me and it’s got to come out! So after some time reevaluating what was really important to me I found a new approach to creating that was not destructive to my mind, health and marriage. Today I can’t imagine doing anything else!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Confusing education with wisdom!
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
We all leave a wake behind us when we leave this world. All I want people to remember was that I was kind and made them laugh. If I ever cross their minds when I’m gone I hope it makes them smile a little.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.car-noir.com
- Instagram: james_owens_art
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@DtroitDinosaur
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
