James Paras is extremely grateful to have his pencil artwork posted on pencils.com. He feels that having his work posted on the site gives him a sense of purpose. He felt lost because he did not feel that anyone was going to be able to appreciate his drawings. When he began posting on pencils.com he felt great joy and relief.

We are appreciative that he posts his work on our site. He loves going home to draw. The way he can freely express himself through his artwork gives him an indescribable feeling of happiness. We are glad that James is a new featured artist on pencils.com and we look forward to his future postings.

James Paras had an unusual upbringing in Alberta. His small town near Grand Prairie was ‘behind the times.’ James spent a lot of time at his uncle’s farm growing up. They did not have electricity, television, or running water; all of these aided in James’ participatory personality. He considered himself to be an outsider; but, his individuality allowed him to grow a passion for machinery. He was and still is very skilled in mechanics.

James’ passion for art began in his early teen years. He liked drawing, but he had a greater passion for photography. He was one of the main developers of his high school yearbook. While having a love for photography, James began drawing pictures of his photos.

As he got older, while bouncing from job to job, he decided that he would attend college. While attending the University of Alberta, James studied Industrial Design. He was part of a team that won an international design competition for Hybrid Electric Vehicles. James finished school and earned a degree in Fine Arts. All of this happened after he quit his job as a locomotive engineer, a career path that was not making him happy.

After college, James tried several different employment options, but found the best fit was as a maintenance assistant. This allowed more time for his real passion, drawing. His love for drawing became stronger than his love for photography. James has always enjoyed pencil art, but in 2007 he truly began focusing on his artwork.

Our Interview with James

 Who or what was your inspiration for art? What inspires you today?

 “There was not a single event that inspired me. Books, advertisements, and all of the  natural beauty around me helped inspire me.”

 James’ inspiration today comes from his college years. Being an illustrative artist was  frowned upon because it was an ‘abstract’ time period.

 “I like to create artwork that anyone can relate to.”

 Why do you prefer pencils?

 “The pencil is so ordinary. They are everywhere. I pick it up, work, and put it down.”

 James feels as though the pencil and paper have a direct connection. It is one color  and very basic, but it turns into beauty. On another note, James is infatuated with the  smell of California Incense-Cedar. This is the type of cedar used in the Palomino  pencils. When he smells the pencil he feels as though he were 5-years old. James  also loves to collect junky pencils that people throw away. He gets joy from drawing  something beautiful with something that another person disposed of.

Do you have a favorite piece?

His drawing study of, “The Sick Girl,” by Christian Krogh is his personal favorite.

“There’s something about her attitude that says, ‘I’m sick, I have tuberculosis, I’m going to die; but, I am not going to give up.”

It was while doing this study that he realized just how fluid and painterly drawing with pencils could be.

James is one of the featured artists on pencils.com. His art is displayed in our Gallery.