Some might wonder if artist James Randle paints old buildings because of nostalgia, but for him it is actually the opposite. His paintings of urban realism (in some cases dilapidated structures or graffiti-laden city buildings) actually reflect modern landscapes and current reality.
But his hope is for each viewer to feel something different, something unique to them, when looking at his work.
“I think each painting is a very personal thing,” James said. “Some paintings make you feel nostalgic, while others are just beautiful.”
James is inspired by objects that most of us might overlook. It could be an old Air Stream parked in a driveway, an abandoned gas station or even a San Francisco street from point of view. His process is very fluid, going from a picture he captured, to painting what he sees, to adding what he feels the picture needs like a streetcar or an extra person.
One thing he loves most about the creative process is allowing it to shift naturally, and watching the outcome.
“Seeing how my style evolves and where it will go in 10 years is more interesting than anything else,” James said. “It happens very organically, you can’t really control it.”
See more of James’ modernistic nostalgia here: