About Jim LaRoe

Jim LaRoe makes his home in Jackson, Wyoming surrounded by a vast intact eco-system providing endless beauty and unmatched

natural wilderness. Jim is an active participant in this wilderness community , but also a constant observer of its vibrant lifestyle.

Jim discovered his talent for fine art at an early age studying at the historic Wallingford Art Center in Wallingford, Pennsylvania.

The Art Center was under the guidance of founder Cyril Gardner a nationally recognized artist and teacher. Jim was encouraged

at this young age to continue developing his artistic talent. Aside from these early classes, Jim is a self taught artist.

Over time Jims’ talents were not limited to two dimensional work and eventually developed a serious interest in woodworking and

blacksmithing. In his teens this talent secured him a position as a summer apprentice craftsman as a Muzzle Loading Gunsmith at

Colonial Williamsburg , Virginia working with some of the finest craftsman in the country.

Making furniture, long rifles and metal work had a strong influence on Jims fine art by setting a high standard for thoughtful

creativity and the importance of executing fine details. This thinking ultimately laid the foundation for Jims painting

approach today. Dry Brush Watercolor ultimately became his medium of choice allowing for intricate details as well as taking

advantage of the fluidity of watercolor itself.

Painting Approach

As many artists have said, a blank surface can be thrilling and terrifying at the same time. Fortunately for me it is most always

thrilling if not wonderfully consuming. Watercolor can be intensely challenging because it is an unforgiving medium leaving

little room for change or correcting mistakes. That said, many watercolor pigments are ground straight form the earth which provides

an unmatched natural affect on paper that is hard to replicate in any other medium and fits very well with what I’m trying to achieve.

Often I cannot paint something unless I can draw it first. Drawing and sometimes black and white watercolor studies help me focus on

values and tone before complicating things with color. Given the unforgiving nature of watercolor, I end up doing multiple studies before

attempting a painting. To further hone my approach I have gravitated to to a dry brush technique that allows me to paint fine details with a

medium usually focused on broad washes.