View James Ayers Art
I get asked frequently if I am Native American. I am not.
My ancestry is typical of most Americans and spans all corners of the globe. I was adopted as an infant by a Greek-American family in Boston and have African American, German, and Welsh roots.
As a person with a multicultural background, I am deeply aware of the importance in accuracy when portraying a specific culture. I take great care to make sure the American Indian cultures I represent in my paintings are authentic and respectful–not only to the historical figures I paint, but also to the living descendants of these peoples.
Shortly after graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1991, James began a pattern of traveling, living, and working with indigenous peoples worldwide that continues to
the present day.
James has sought first-hand experiences with dozens of tribal cultures, and with each relationship, he has gleaned insights that help him understand the historical material he incorporates into his art.