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

Self Portrait with Nautilus Shell – The Curator’s Process

“I never get to see the moment of your magic unfurling the original working drawings of James’. This one hasn’t been...

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette Presents…

The lost art of Jame Yale is a huge mystery, and I want to give a special thanks to the Arkansas-Democrat Gazette and...

Princess of The Lake Drawing

Introduction to this week’s Rediscovery for the original working sketch of The Princess of the Lake that includes an...

1st Annual Creative Storytelling Invitational

An Intergenerational Storytelling Project Promoting the Creative Arts   “What happens when different dimensions of...

The Origin Story of The Water Nymph

The painting Water Nymph is the beginning of James and my love story. It's a longer campfire story that I will fill in...