Jim Warren is one of the most successful & versatile artists in the world today! From the wild & whimsical to the sweet & sensuous, for over 35 years Jim Warren has been painting his way into the hearts and minds of people the world over. Already considered a "living legend of the art world", Jim continues to surprise and amaze. His versatility ranges from his unique portraits for celebrities, CEO's and families, to his illustrations ( from the 1980s) for books, movies and album covers, most notably his Grammy award winning artwork for Bob Seger's 1981 album "Against the Wind". His fine art oil paintings and limited edition giclee prints are currently featured in some of the top galleries in the world, most notably the Wyland Gallery chain in Florida, California, Hawaii, Las Vegas and other locations.
'Late one evening I was searching the Internet for a picture suitable for the front cover of our book "In the Shadow of an Angel" which my friend and I had just completed. There were so many lovely angel pictures but we couldn't afford the prices and large advances that were being asked. They also wanted to know how many books we were likely to sell because they wanted royalties as well. I was getting more despondent by the minute. All the money from the sale of our book was to go into our dog rescue charity, but no one was interested in helping us. Time was racing on and I was getting fed up, and then I stumbled across Jim Warren's web site. As soon as I saw those wonderful pictures grace my screen I was overjoyed. We had finally found what we were looking for. His "Stairway to Heaven" was one of the most wonderful pictures I had ever seen---until I saw the horses galloping through the clouds, snow and surf.
This man's work was just amazing. I was so excited. I quickly sent an e-mail telling him of our plight and asking if we could use his "Stairway to Heaven" picture for our book cover. It was only later as I was looking through his web site that I discovered that not only was he a brilliant artist but he was famous as well. He had won Grammy awards and was artist to the stars in America! As I learned more about the status of this gifted person through his web site, I thought to myself, "there is no way this famous artist is going to e-mail me back, let alone allow us to use his picture for our book. Another dream shattered. Still, it was a lovely idea.
A couple of weeks later I was going through my e-mails when I saw, sitting in my inbox, a message from the master himself, Jim Warren. I was so surprised he even bothered to reply. Nervously, I stared at the e-mail, then with some trepidation, I opened it. It took a few seconds for the words to sink in, then I shouted, YES! He had given us permission to use his picture "Stairway to Heaven" and he said I could use any of his pictures. It was as though all my birthdays and Christmases had come at once. Jim had always been interested in environmental issues, and it becomes apparent when you look at his work, so maybe it wasn't so surprising that he had come to our rescue. His work portrays his feelings about the planet and how we abuse it. We had found another like-minded friend.
It was around this time that I met X Tawasentha and was helping her with the design of the front cover of her book, "From Strings to Wings." I thought of asking Jim if he could help again, but I didn't' like to appear too presumptuous. After much searching I still couldn't find anything suitable so, apprehensively, I emailed him again and told him of X Tawasentha's plight. Again he replied and said she could use any picture she wanted, and that he would be proud to have his art on the front cover of her book. This time I was near to tears. What a lovely man to do so much and ask nothing in return. I felt inspired to write a poem dedicated to Jim Warren's work entitled "An Artists Dream" and it was published.
Life never runs smoothly. We have to climb over a few rocks and graze our knees before we reach the grassy slopes, but our journey is made easier by the angels we meet along the way. I know because I have met a few, and when I count my blessings, I count Jim Warren twice. Thank you Jim for the kindness you have shown to X Tawasentha and myself.
An Artists Dream.
Created on canvas an artists dream,
Each stroke of perfection and hue,
Splendidly painted for all to admire,
Spectacular in their view.
Way above the Heavenly spheres,
Billowing clouds drift by,
Sunsets caress coastal land,
Birds silhouette against the sky.
Horses galloping through the surf,
Whilst Dolphins swim in waters deep,
Extinguishing life an Mother Earth,
Heralding the planets sleep.
On the wall our paintings hang,
Their picture tells a story
Of bygone times when there was life,
Intact, in all its glory...'
'Island Dream' 'Ocean Dreams'
'Stairway to Heaven' 'Wild Waters'
'Out of the Blue'
"As a teen I questioned everything, including God. In a discussion once with my Dad, who is not particularly religious, he said to me something to the effect of 'Do you think all this beauty in the world just happened out of the blue?' That was certainly something for me to ponder for years to come."
'Tropical Fanta-Sea'
"If you have ever been to the tropical islands of Hawaii, you know how its natural beauty can be so inspirational to an artist, especially an artist who tends to improvise a bit on that which he sees."
'Home Sweet Home'
"When we are doing something we just love more than almost anything else in the world, it is as if we are "HOME" in the truest sense of the word. Although I don't golf, I would imaging this would be home sweet home for one who does.
This painting was inspired by the many golf courses I have driven by and photographed due to their spacious and beautiful settings, sandtraps and all."
'A gift from an Angel'
"They say that gifts come in all sizes, but some are so miraculous that we often forget to appreciate what a gift it really is or where it even comes from."
'Fearless Fairies'
"Many of my paintings include two subjects together. Often these subjects are in big contrast to each other such as with this painting: the big and ferocious next to the very soft and dainty. Notice in this painting these opposites are in a peaceful co-existence with each other...unlike some of the opposites we find in the real world with religions, races and sexes."
'Good Morning'
As the time approaches for the big West Coast studio move from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon, Jim had time to fit in completing another beautiful painting pictured above, Good Morning. It took our breath away here at the studio with it's magnificent lighthouse, brilliant rays of the rising sun amid storm filled clouds..but most of all, Good Morning portrays the incredible power of nature...a power that lies within each one of us "humans" and our ability to love..typified by the couple in the clouds.
"Rainbows were a mystery to me when I was a child. I wondered where they ended. I set out on my bike to find out a couple times but figured it was just too far away.
I can see why they have such a mystique about them. My painting, "Stairway to Heaven" has often been used in connection to sites called Rainbow Bridge which are used to remember loved ones, people and pets, who have passed away."
Just in time for his upcoming New York and Las Vegas shows, Jim put the finishing touches on his latest, Over the Rainbow, pictured above.
Years ago when Jim completed his now famed Stairway to Heaven painting, the calls and emails from people in all walks of life...ministers, schoolteachers, Children's homes, individuals of all religions and circumstances came pouring in with comments and requests for its use for their various projects...and today, Stairway to Heaven remains one of Jim's most popular, most commented on and best selling paintings of his over 38 year history of being a professional artist. It is worthy of note that the most often heard comment that people have made about Stairway to Heaven, is the comfort it brings to them personally.
A few days ago, Jim completed Over the Rainbow. Certainly reminiscent of his now almost sold out Stairway to Heaven, Over the Rainbow is a virtual display of brilliant color and spiritual concept. As with all of Jim's work, interpretation of it's meaning is left up to the viewer to decide or speculate on, something that contributes much to the popularity of his work.
'Over the Rainbow'
'Love'
'Moonlit Romance'
'Trees of Life'
'Spirit in the Night'
'Perspectives'
"People often see things differently depending on which perspective they are looking at it from. And to those who are more imaginative, such as children and artists, things are seen more as you would like to see them, not so much as they really are."
'White Lightning'
"Horse mates chase each other playfully as the sky opens up in a grand panoply of color and intensity while the glowing illumination from the lighthouse guides those who travel the seas on such a stormy night...Beautiful imagery indeed!
'Night and Day'
"Wow! What a combination of color and intensity...a true celebration of all of Nature's finest."
"The Playful Sea"
"Ever since I was old enough to walk, the ocean and it's waves were like pets to play with. I would chase the waves into the sea and they would come back and chase me, sometimes tackling me into the sand. Later I got bigger and I rode the waves like a horse or sometimes a bucking bronco.
I can see why our favorite living sea creature, the Dolphin, likes to play with the wild surf as well."
'The Waiting'
"Sometimes people spend their whole life waiting for their ship to come in, waiting so much that they miss the boat."
"The Last Embrace"
"Like the rough seas, romance is sometimes hard to hold on to, but I didn't intend for this to be a tragic love story in the tradition of Shakespeare. I feel that the challenges involved in romance are what makes true love so special when found."
"Colorful World"
"As a child I was always curious about colors. I wondered why there was a limited number of colors and what would new colors look like if there were more. I just couldn't picture any in my mind. Maybe that is why I became an artist.
"I have since come to the realization that all that is possible are the colors that are in the rainbow, which is really made up of only three basic colors: red, yellow and blue. The rest are just mixes and variations of those."
"4 Seasons"
"The beautiful blending of the seasons, each with their own unique qualities, is proof to me that the world was thoughtfully and artistically created, not just some random accident."
"Rainbow Girl"
"Rainbow Girl was painted on a round canvas, something Jim rarely does. His use of black and white to accentuate the colors of the rainbow and its reflection on the waves and sandy shore shows some brilliant execution on Jim's part. And the perfect little color on the woman's lips that so simply defines her sensuality...excellent."
