Marine

Jane James

My love of maritime subject matter has spanned my art career. I have travelled teaching Marine Art as a specialist course, and water continues to be a challenge I never tire of.

I have a lifelong association with the sea and Maritime subject matter. I spent several of my formative years living on a cargo ship, and my early life around the waterfront of Hobart. The forms and colours of maritime subject matter were some of my earliest subjects, and one that I return to. I am an exhibiting member of the Australian Society of Marine Artists, and hold a Coxswains qualification.

I received my first fins and mask in 1974. I had begged for them, inspired by the work of Ron and Valerie Taylor. I disgraced myself totally on my first outing snorkelling. Nothing could have prepared me for the cold, murky environment of the Derwent River - so vastly different to the scenes in the Taylor’s imagery. Subsequently, I have spent many years working in the dive industry as a divemaster and instructor. 

I went on to have the privilege of working as a designer installing Australia’s first underwater nature trail, and have worked closely for over thirty years with a number of marine research and conservation projects. I am still actively engaged in this area, and continue diving recreationally.