About Evelyn James
Raised in New Jersey to Danish parents, Evelyn developed an interest in drawing
at an early age. Her pencil drawings were brought to life when her first oil paints were
given to her by a woman she remembers well, Ocie Faye Hardy, an art and piano teacher who
roomed in her home. As a teenager Evelyn took art lessons in exchange for posing for
Attaya, a commercial artist who drew her hands and hairstyles for beauty product
advertisements. Upon leaving home in her late teens she met her future husband Robert
James, while renting a room in his parents' home. He too shared an interest in art, a
hobby that followed them over the years, living in various states and overseas. Three
children and hundreds of drawings and paintings later, Evelyn still enjoys bringing places
to life in detail, especially buildings that hold family or historical meaning. Evelyn
enjoys crafts as well and spent years making dolls. Among her favorites were historical
figures which included black history dolls. Currently, when not trying out new ideas and
techniques, Evelyn enjoys working on her dollhouse, a world in itself. Before returning to
New Jersey in 1993 following the death of her husband, Evelyn worked at Old Sturbridge
Village Museum, Sturbridge, Massachusetts. She now resides with her daughter in
Piscataway, NJ.
|
