Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim White. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Jim White, a self-taught watercolor artist, has been heavily influenced by his 40 years of landscape architectural design experience. His strong sketching, drawing, and perspective skills are foundational to his artwork. Jim’s understanding of light and color and the influence both have in shaping our visual world can be seen in each of his works. His keen observation of these as well as texture, line, and form is apparent in his paintings.
Jim’s watercolor journey began in early 2018 with pen and ink drawings, followed by line and wash sketches. He quickly garnered the name “Chick N Man” when he began a series of watercolors depicting whimsical chickens in unusual locations. Chick Ns still find their way into his work occasionally, but he continues to evolve artistically with a wide variety of subjects and techniques. His style is highly recognizable. He teaches watercolor classes and workshops.
Jim grew up on the West Texas plains, worked in the Texas Hill Country and along the gulf coast before trading the mesquite and prickly pear for the heavily wooded southern Appalachian Mountains of north Georgia over 30 years ago. He continues to live there and work daily in his studio, Treeline Art Studio, located near Dahlonega, GA, site of the first major U.S. Gold Rush in 1828. You can view his artwork on Instagram and Facebook. @buzzardmountainfinearts.
His artworks can been seen in person at The Gallery at Canvas and Cork in downtown Dahlonega.
Jim is also heavily involved in the local bluegrass and old-time music scene. He performed for many years as one of the Buzzard Mountain Boys and still performs with the band Stone Pile Gap. He plays guitar and fiddle and sings lead and harmony vocals. He has served as the chair of Bear on the Square Mountain Music Festval for many years and is still involved. The festival draws 30,000 to 40,000 visitors to Dahlonega each year in April.
He is a founding member and first president of the Georgia Pick and Bow Traditional Music School. The local program offers after-school instruction in all of the Lumpkin schools, teaching traditional Appalachian instruments – fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, and bass. The music program teaches 3rd through 12th-grade students. About 100 students attend classes each semester. As well a week-long music camp in the summer.
Jim is a member of the Georgia Watercolor Society and the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I had a landscape company fail and had to file for reorganization bankruptcy. I was able to bring it back to life and pay off all the debt. It was a very challenging time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Jim studied landscape architecture at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He began his career in San Antonio, Texas, working for a large multidisciplinary design company specializing in downtown River developments like the San Antonio River. He worked on projects in Canada, Mexico, and South America, as well as many US projects. His background and design experience led him into the construction business in San Antonio, where he owned and operated River City Design and Construction Co., specializing in heavy landscape and hardscape installations. He was responsible for the design of the New Braunfels, Texas, “tube chute” on the Comal River as well as the riverwalk plaza associated with the New Braunfels Wurstfest Association.
Other projects Jim worked on include the Sugar Creek Riverwalk in Charlotte, NC, Blue Creek Riverwalk in Kansas City, MO, the Grand River Project in Cambridge, Canada, and the Rio Reimac project in Lima, Peru.
Jim’s work eventually brought him to the Atlanta area, where he owned and operated Multiscape, Inc., a design-build landscape construction company specializing in multifamily projects. After 20’yesrs, he moved to the southern Appalachian Mountains near Dahlonega and became involved in service to the city and its promotion. He worked with the Downtown Development Authority as a special projects manager organizing and overseeing the production of events such as the Dahlonega Appalachian Jam, Friday Night Concerts in the Park, and Old-Fashioned Christmas on the Square.
He continues to work in construction and his art on a daily basis.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Yes. Keep going. Don’t stop. Life is full of pitfalls and dangers, and life is just as full of joy and happiness. Not my line, but don’t postpone joy. It never pays off
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @buzzardmountainfinearts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.white.357?mibextid=LQQJ4d
