The Art of James Yale

Welcome to the extraordinary world of James Yale art. James’ oil portraits, meticulous drawings, and clay busts seem to breathe. His collection of work demonstrates both breadth of talent and depth of imagination.

About James

James Yale, January 31, 1947 – August 18, 2023, was a self taught artist, born in the small rural farm town of Jasper, Missouri. As a young child James soon began to express an interest and ability in writing, drawing and painting, between the early age of three to six years old with his grandmother. “My grandmother had an amazing collection of books with engravings, wonderful illustrations. She was my first teacher, she taught me to paint and draw. She was active in the Eastern Star, so I had an introduction to mysticism early in my life.”

Featured Work

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Paintings

From Dreams and Fantasies sketches are created.  They take on a life of their own as they transform into realistic illusions. The finished art unveils and draws the viewer into the mystical realm.

Hawkins House

Drawings

James’ pen and Ink drawing and sketches began early in his life. He passed the Missouri architecture exam in high school. Many of Yale’s architectural renderings were commissioned by Helen Walton.

Leo-Heckathorn

Sculpture

James sculptures are created from terracotta, wood carving and cast into bronze. Several terra cotta portrait busts were part of a solo exhibit at the Arkansas State Capitol Building in 1980.

James produced and sold many pieces of art over the years, and some of them he never photographed before delivering to their new owner. To honor the amazing art that James created, it is our desire to create a full catalog of his work. If you own a piece of his work, we would love to receive a photograph of it to add to the collection! Please contact us if you ever purchased artwork from James, and we will reach out. Thank you!

News & Stories

Generational Journeys Oral History Project

Generational Journeys Oral History Project is an Arkansas-based mentor-apprentice program dedicated to preserving the...

Rayaak

In August 2023, I made my very first post on Facebook about James’ passing. So many of you sent such beautiful...

Where’s the Heron Painting?

The Heron painting is not a rediscovered artwork. It is a mystery to be discovered, for I do not know who purchased or...

The lady of Blue Chalcedony

Once again, today’s post brings me face to face with another one of James' paintings that I have never seen in real...

Lady Nautilus

On January 27, 2025, Mary Kay Patterson Sullivan reached out to me about a watercolor painting and an architectural...