James was born in the Borders of Scotland of Scottish and Italian parents.  His early life experience of both Scotland and coastal Italy played an important part in fostering his love of Marine and Coastal environments.  James studied Biology and then worked in diving and marine research before being moved to take up painting.  His detailed knowledge of the physical factors which determine and govern the intimate and complex interplay of the elements within the Environmental phases of Air, Water and Land deeply informs his work and is the baseline from which he seeks to bring Nature to life within his paintings.   His aim is to capture and convey  elements of Mood, Atmosphere and Energy present within shifting Environmental phases and to instill the sense of dynamism and timeless beauty that lies within them.