James Faecke
I have always loved to draw and began my working life as an architectural draftsman, making the transition into art through architectural illustration. After graduating from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in1981 with a BFA in studio art, I continued to work in the architectural profession until 1999. At that time, I had an opportunity to begin working full time as an architectural illustrator, working primarily in watercolor. During my 15 years as an Illustrator, I am grateful to have been a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators and to have received numerous “Awards of Excellence” for my work.
I began painting en Plein Air in 2012 and fell in love with the whole Plein Air movement, as much for the wonderful people involved as for the work itself. A few years later I began working full time as an artist. I have always worked in watercolor and the media seemed perfectly suited for Plein Air work. For me, the variety of possibilities in its application are unlike any other medium. Almost any subject can become a playground for exploration. My goal in creating my images is to bring the viewer into a moment of wonder. Watercolor, I believe, gives me the opportunity and potential to bring that moment into being. It’s an interest and ongoing challenge.
