Landscape. That’s what is important to Jim Walmsley in art.

After decades studying the interaction between people and the environment as a left hemisphere-dominated social scientist, Jim is using his retirement to give the right hemisphere of his brain ‘a workout’ as he says, through his creative pursuits.

Jim loves landscape photography and has also ‘dabbled’ in watercolour. Now he is painting in acrylics as well, producing stylised landscapes, rather than accurate representations. ‘In order to remind myself to be creative, I use the name ‘dennisjames’ (my first two names) in my art’, says Jim.

Jim’s paintings are often charged with an intriguing atmosphere, evoking a strong sense of the unique spirit of the particular place he has chosen as the subject. Jim is known about town for his wonderful way with words and for his entertaining speeches. His gifts as a raconteur seem to be reflected in his art. Paintings, too, can tell a story.

Aside from art, Jim is a soccer tragic who supports Preston North End in English football (a team that last won something significant in 1938!). He is also an aspiring crime novelist (with a growing set of rejection slips from publishers!).

Awards:
First Prize: Works on Paper – 2018 Armidale Art Prize – The Day is Done – watercolour

Highly Commended: Photography – 2019 Armidale Art Prize – The Snow Came Sideways