Therese James

Therese James

naïve artist
A TRIBUTE - "How MISTER DENHAM opened doors for me" an article featuring Therese James in Artists and Illustrators magazine (May 2005 issue). " It was an article about Peter Denham in Artists and Illustrators magazine that led to Welsh artist Therese James finding common ground with others working in the naive style, as she tells Edwin Riddell". (Artists and Illustrators May 2005 page 9). Congratulations to Therese James on her recent feature article within the Artists and Illustrators magazine. Therese has a three page feature following a re-print of the article - "The world according to Mister Denham". Therese has been moved by the untimely loss of the founder of the "New British Naive" movement" and is clearly doing everything she can from her end to ensure his legacy continues.
Recent Exhibition: Therese contributed to the first nationwide New British Naive exhibition in St Ives on the 20/5/06 which ran for 2 weeks. Therese is currently working on the illustrations of a childrens’ book written by Awen Little called ‘Sid the Sock Eating Monster’. It is a picture book aimed at 4 – 7 year old children for when they start reading independently. It is expected to be launched in bookstores early autumn 07.
		An example of an illustration from a book called "Sid the Sock eating Monster" (left), illustrated by Therese James.
Therese James has been painting for about 12 years (or more). She had written poetry and short stories for years and felt the need to create pictures to interpret the things she saw and felt. Although intitially shy and unsure of her work, through the encouragement of the members of the Llanelli Art Society and regular commendation awards from visiting judges, her confidence gradualy increased. Some time later Therese became acquainted with the late Peter Denham (founder of the New British Naïves) and he became a great source of inspiration and introduced her to the work of others in the same genre. Therese's work is varied and is produced in direct response to her vision.		'The Cappuccinno Girls'
		"Floozies" Acrylic 23" x 15" (Framed)
"Chin Wagging" Watercolour 25" x 22" (Framed)		Therese has also produced a body of work in response to the characters from Dylan Thomas' "Under Milk Wood" and are exhibited in "World of Wales" in Laugharne. Therese is a member of "The New British Naïves" and is currently working towards a joint exhibition at "The Neville Gallery" in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire in October 2004.

Artists Statement "I see and feel my paintings before they appear on paper. They are a mixture of the past, present and fantasy. I only enjoy painting before and after the work. The ideas are fun - the end result normally makes me happy - but the bit in between can be just a frustrating necessity. I am a naïve artist and work from a compulsion to create the images evolving from what my eyes see and heart feels. All this is done with innocence because I don't know any better." Therese James Jan '04
Untitled Mixed Media
"Libanus Ladies" Mixed Media 20" x 10" (Unframed)		"Moonlight Magic" Watercolour 20" x 13"
Therese James Tel. No: 01554 773016 Email: Squadgers@hotmail.co.uk		EXHIBITIONS Therese has shown work regularly in group exhibitions at the Neville Gallery, Llanelli; The Emrys Arts Open Exhibition, Carmarthen; Haverfordwest Library; Three Towns Exhibition; Tenby Open Arts Competition, Art Matters, Tenby. October/November 2004 - Joint exhibition with Jocelyn Prosser at the Neville Gallery,Llanelli, West Wales. Oriel Makers Gallery, Roath, Cardiff - Summer 2005. Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd, Winter 2005. May 05 Featured artist in ‘Artist & Illustrator’ magazine Summer 05 Solo Exhibition Oriel Makers Gallery, Roath, Cardiff Winter 05 Solo Exhibition Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd February 06 Selected works, Spring Fair, NEC, Birmingham. May 06 British Naives Group Exhibition, Mariners Gallery, St Ives, Cornwall June/July 06 Joint Exhibition with Jocelyn Prosser, Victoria Fearn Gallery, Rhiwbina, Cardiff August 06 Invited artist of ‘Countryside Council of Wales’ group exhibition for Royal welsh show, Builth Wells and Eisteddfodd, Swansea – leading to publication in their promotional calendar. December 06 Solo Exhibition , Ridgeway Room, Art Matters, Tenby December 06 Group Exhibition Framing Machine, mumbles, Swansea.