Jim Vickery-Biography

  I was born in Hawaii and spent my youth traveling as a “navy brat”.  I spent most of my adult life in the San Francisco Bay Area, where my talented and tolerant wife, Lu and I raised our three boys, Luke, Jess and Ben.  I graduated from California College of Arts and Crafts in 1974.  Those were interesting times, and some of those artistic influences have lasted a lifetime.

 We’ve only been on the Mendocino Coast a relatively short time, but the friendly people and beautiful surroundings have made us feel like it has always been our home.

 Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, I devoured comic books, Mad magazine and horror movies.  After studying “serious art” at California College of Arts and Crafts, my influence widened to include not just Don Martin but Salvador Dali, M. C. Escher and Vermeer.

Although my subject matter is not traditional, my techniques in oils and pen and inks are.

Over the years I have done political cartoons for the Sierra Club, and Communications Workers of America. I have been a member of The Hayward Arts Council and now am a member of Artist’s Co-op of Mendocino, North Coast Artist’s Guild, Artist’s Collective at Elk, The Gualala Arts Center and The Mendocino Art Center.

My art has taken many directions, but I have tried to stay true to my roots of political and social commentary.  However since moving to the Mendocino Coast, I have found it impossible to live in this beautiful place without trying to say something about that artistically as well.

I don’t think I have ever presumed to inspire or be profound, but I do, on occasion try to get a laugh.

I hope people find my observations and interpretations interesting and honest.