James Copper
About
Born and raised in Los Angeles. I developed a lifelong passion for it that took root in my childhood. From an early age, I found myself sketching on anything that I believed was a canvas. At the age of 10, my parents enrolled me in art classes at Cal State LA College, providing me with a foundational understanding of essential elements such as shadowing, lighting, color theory etc. All executed by hand. I am surrounded by a family full of artists / talented people, my grandfather was an artist who worked for a print company. My father was a musician / music teacher, my sister was in theatre and now she’s a theatre teacher. My brother-in-law is a singer and my cousin is a bass player in a band.
When I was 18 I went to Santa Monica College, where my focus on Graphic Design allowed me to explore the realm of graphic arts. This educational pursuit expanded my artistic horizons, exposing me to the intricate interplay of design, web development, and digital media. Culminating in a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Graphic and Web Design, my academic journey laid a solid foundation for my professional endeavors.
Post-graduation, I applied my skills at "Our Weekly," a Black-owned newspaper company, where I crafted compelling covers and engaged in various digital media projects. Presently, I contribute my expertise to "CR+A Custom," a prominent large-format print company in Downtown LA. In this dynamic role, I've had the privilege of collaborating on projects for businesses such as Crypto.com Arena, AEG, LA Convention Center, Coca Cola, and others.
Artist statement
As a Digital Artist / Graphic Designer, my creative journey expands within the virtual realm. My process involves a fusion of technical and imaginative intuition. I am drawn to the endless possibilities of the digital canvas, where I can seamlessly blend abstraction, realism, and surrealism to craft a visual language that speaks to the audience. The dynamic of digital art allows me to experiment with form, color, and movement, leading to compositions that are both visually captivating and thought-provoking.