Family Physician by day...

"Artist by Night"

Art Inspired by Life

Artist Statement :

 The most common question about my work : “Is all of this work one artist? Yes!  I am versatile in many mediums such as oils, pastels, acrylic, even ceramics and glassblowing.  Yet watercolor is my passion because of it’s luminosity, numerous levels of transparency, and quick drying time which allows for multiple layers at intervals of time.  After all, water is the most plentiful substance on earth, making it the universal solvent.  This lends itself to so many application techniques and materials to play with to create texture and dimension such as wet-in-wet or dry brushing.  Adding to watercolor’s complexity is what is left to chance- there is only so much control, the rest paints itself. 

 I challenge myself with every painting - which tricks will I employ to render a two dimensional image as something more? I see the same principles of values, shapes, color hues and composition in practically anything, whether it’s a still life or landscape from my travels or creating something beautiful from the ordinary. This is why I cannot limit myself to any one subject matter as there is light and shadow in all. 

 My photographs and life experiences, especially travel, are my inspiration as I have a vast archive of photos as reference material in addition to occasionally interpreting an image in the public domain.  Typically my painting style shifts from realism to impressionistic but I yearn to be looser and more abstract. I am a lifelong student of art with a desire to find a different way, such as presenting works behind no glass so the viewer really sees the art, using metallic paints on black watercolor paper, or painting batik style using wax resist. 

Not only do I find painting very relaxing, but my vision is to create art that evokes a emotional response whether it’s a smile from something familiar or a sense of calm from a place one has never seen.  

I am proud to offer original art and prints on various media and sizes to suit your needs.

Artfully Yours,  James

Artist Bio:

 James Michael Elia was originally from East Meadow, N.Y. and relocated to Pennsylvania in 1994, currently in Lancaster with his wife Dana and he has four children.  His day job is in the healing arts where he has been a practicing family physician since 1997.  “By night”, he paints, hence how he derived the name for his business and website. His attention to detail in medicine has been an attribute that serves him well in his artwork as his work tends to fall between realism and impressionistic yet he is now exploring more abstract content.

  As a youngster he often had a passion for making art in school. For the last 20 years he has taken it to another level by self teaching the creative process including online and in-person classes.  He has been expanding his knowledge taking courses in his hometown at the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, Lancaster Museum of Art, Lancaster Art Association and on going classes in watercolor with a local artist.  He has attended several workshops with acclaimed contemporary artists such as Sterling Edwards, Tom Lynch, Robert Burridge, and Ryan Fox.

 He is currently a member of the Lancaster Art Association and the Lancaster Museum of Art and his work has been exhibited at both of these organizations.  In 2023 he completed a commissioned work “Reflections at the Pinnacle” which was installed at the Penn State Lancaster Medical Center. 

  James is excited to write his next chapter in his artistic vision storybook by sharing his work at the Lancaster Art Vault located at 100 N. Queen Street in Lancaster P.A., local art shows such as the Lititz Outdoor Fine Art Show,  the Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show, accepting commission assignments, and this website Artistrybynight.com.