From Signwriter to Prizewinning Artist The Creative Journey of James Stickland

Despite finding his true calling to art later in life, James Stickland has certainly made a name for himself with a host of achievements, prizes and accolades under his belt.

Although interested in art from a young age, James would not find his true until passion later, initially running his sign business for 19 years whilst raising two children.

“Back at school I was sporty, but I also got bored easily. I always have to be doing something so I would sketch and draw,” said James.

The calling came after a chance encounter on a last minute road trip.

“I was still doing art through graphic design, but it wasn’t hands on. The kids got older – they reached their late twenties and life started feeling poignant, like something was missing. We just happened to buy a work van and had one week left off for Christmas. We went for a drive and stumbled across the Tweed Regional Gallery – it was this massive structure in the middle of nowhere.”

Upon viewing the art, James had a thought that would change his life trajectory forever, “I could probably do this.”

After lots of practice, googling and some YouTube tutorials, James was well on this way to becoming a highly acclaimed artist.

“That started my passion, now it’s an addiction.”

Talking to James, we reflected on the power of one of his favourite forms: portraiture.

“When I first started chasing sitters for the big national prizes, they’d request you have a sitting which I thought was going to be a pain, but you 100% need to meet the person and sit with them for a few hours, even if just for a coffee,” he said.

“You get to see their personality, what they’re like – and you can really start to think about what you want to put in the painting.”

In discussing influences, James cited an artist by the name of Vladmir Bologov.

“He’s a very loose painter in the same vein as John Singer Sargent. I used to do realism to prove I could, and I love what others produce, but I find it a bit boring,” James explained.

“It’s more the expressive strokes that excite me. All my paintings are a bit looser – more contemporary.”

Having now transitioned to full time work with his new studio, James is still in shock over his newfound success.

“It’s just surreal. It doesn’t feel real yet. I never thought it would happen, and now that it has it’s like – oh well this is weird – better commit.”

James has already amassed a huge string of achievements including the Brisbane Art Rotary Prize, valued at $15,000 as well as becoming a six-time national finalist in major portrait prizes across Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, Townsville and the Doug Moran. He also received a Highly Commended award from an ARC International competition of 5,400 entries and was awarded a scholarship to attend the Portrait Society of America conference in Washington DC in 2025.

We look forward to what James does next. He is truly a great creative talent.

CAPTION: Artist James Stickland at work in his studio, where he now creates the expressive portrait paintings that have earned him national recognition. Photo supplied

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