A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, James McGrew grew up making frequent backpacking trips to Yosemite, Tahoe and other beautiful locations in Northern California and Oregon. He fell in love with Yosemite at an early age and often tried to capture the natural beauty through various artistic media including pastels at the age of 8 and using his father’s oils by age 10.
Although he took every art class available up to and throughout college, in effort to learn more about his favorite place and artistic subject, he earned degrees in Biology, Chemistry and Geology then went on to study Environmental Education in Graduate School. James relies on his background in science with art as a vehicle to communicate the natural beauty that inspires his work.
James hikes/backpacks several hundred miles each summer, always with a tripod, pochade and cameras. He uses his plein air paintings as references for larger studio works. James has worked as an interpretive naturalist in Yosemite for over 15 summer seasons.
James’ paintings hang in collections around the world and have been shown in numerous solo shows, national and international exhibitions and plein air invitationals, receiving many awards. He is an artist member of the California Art Club and a signature member of both the American Impressionist Society and the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association. His work has been featured in many national publications and has been in several films. He loves backpacking with his family.
James’ website is jamesmcgrewfineart.com.
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Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La, Winter
2023. Oil on linen on birch, 21″ x 13″.
Framed in a No. 243 CV—3″ with 23kt gilt sight edge. Quartersawn white oak with Dark Medieval stain.
SOLD.
Yosemite Winter
Oil on panel, 11″ x 14″. Painting only: $1,650.
Framed in a No. 2—2 1/2″ in quartersawn white oak with Saturated Weathered stain. 12kt gilt slip. (Inquire for other frame options.)
SOLD.
Sunset on Half Dome-Glacier Point
2021. Oil on panel, 10″ x 8″.
Framed in a No. 1.4 CV—2″ with 18kt gilt sight edge. Quartersawn white oak with Medieval stain. (Inquire for other frame options.)
SOLD
Upper Yosemite Fall Over the Merced River
Oil on panel, 10″ x 8″.
Framed in a No. 16—2″ with 23kt gilt sight edge in quartersawn white oak with Medieval stain.
SOLD
First Light Across May Lake
Oil on panel, 8″ x 6″.
Framed in a No. 16—1 1/2″ with 23kt gilt sight edge in walnut with Dark Medieval stain.
SOLD
Vernal Fall
Oil on panel, 8″ x 6″.
Framed in a No. 1100 CV—1 3/4″ in quartersawn white oak with Saturated Medieval stain. 18kt gilt slip. (Inquire for other frame options.)
SOLD
Morning on the Rim of Yosemite Valley
Oil on linen panel, 6″ x 8″. Painting only: $800.
Framed in a No. 1 R CV Edges—1-3/4″ in quartersawn white oak with Dark Weathered stain. 18kt gilt slip. SOLD.
Half Dome Overlooking Autumn on the Merced
2020. Oil on linen panel, 10″ x 8″.
Framed in a No. 16 CV—2″ in quartersawn white oak with Medieval stain. 23kt gilt sight edge.
SOLD.
Glacier Point Sunrise
2018. Oil on linen on board, 24″ x 30″.
Framed in No. 318—2-1/2″ + Cap 811—7/8″. Quartersawn white oak (Saturated Medieval stain).
SOLD
Yosemite Falls Towers Over Cook’s Meadow
2018. Oil on linen on board, 16″ x 8″.
Framed in No. 1100 CV—1 3/4-2 1/4″ flush dowels. Quartersawn white oak (Medieval stain) with 18kt slip.
SOLD.
Jeffrey Pine at Dewey Point
Oil on linen on board, 11″ x 14″.
Framed in No. #1.4CV—3″. Quartersawn (Dark Weathered stain) with 18kt liner.
SOLD
Half Dome at Sunset on the Merced River
Oil on linen on board, 9″ x 12″.
Framed in No. 22.6CV BC—2-3/4”. Quartersawn white oak (Saturated Medieval stain) with a 23kt liner.
SOLD.
Pohono, Storm Clouds
Oil on panel, 8″ x 10″.
Framed in No. 2—2″. Quartersawn white oak (Weathered stain) with 23kt liner.
Painting framed as shown: SOLD
Upper Yosemite Fall
2019. Oil on panel, 15 3/4″ x 7 1/2″.
Framed in No. 230—2-3/4. Quartersawn white oak (Weathered Oak stain) with gilt slip.
SOLD.
Tissiac In Soft Evening Light
2017. OIl on linen on board, 11″ x 14.” Framed in Compound No. 1 + Cap No. 410 CV — 4″, in quartersawn white oak (Medieval Oak stain) with a 23kt gilt slip. SOLD.
Summer in the High Country (Long Meadow at Sunrise High Sierra Camp)
2016. Oil on linen on board, 9” x 12”. SOLD.
Thunderstorm Sunset on Half Dome
Oil on linen mounted on board, 12″ x 16″, 2016. Framed in carved compound slope in quartersawn white oak. SOLD.
Pohono
2014, Oil on Linen and wood in custom Cassetta frame with gilt liner. 24″ x 18″. Sold.
Winter’s Song
2013. Oil on linen, 18″ x 14″. Framed in No. 341 CV (soft)—3-1/2”, in quartersawn white oak (Dark Medieval Oak stain). Sold.
Last Light on Half Dome
2013. Oil on linen, 8″ x 6″. Framed in No. 443 – 2″ quartersawn white oak (Weathered). SOLD
Glacier Point Sunset
2010. Oil on canvas, 9″ x 12″. Framed in custom mitered flat with carved raised cushion panel near sight edge —3″, in quartersawn white oak (Weathered Oak stain). Sold.
Yosemite Falls from Cook’s Meadow
2010. Oil on canvas, 8″ x 6″. Framed in Village Series flat No. 11.2 — 2″, in quartersawn white oak (Weathered Oak stain). $900.
Looking East from Glacier Point
2010. Oil on canvas, 9″ x 12″. Framed in No. 1.4 CV — 2-3/4″ in quartersawn white oak (Weathered Oak stain). Sold.
Sentinel View
2013. Oil on linen on birch, 16″ x 12”. Framed in No. 320 CV—3” in quartersawn white oak (Medieval Oak stain), with gilt slip. Sold.
White Cascade, Glen Aulin
2010. Oil on canvas, 6” x 8”. Framed in No. 16—2-1/2” in quartersawn white oak (Weathered Oak stain).
Upper Lee Vining Canyon
2010. Oil on canvas, 6” x 8”. Framed in No. 2 CV—2-1/2″ in quartersawn white oak (Weathered Oak stain).
Ahwahnee Snow Storm
2011. Oil on canvas, 6″ x 8”. Framed in No. 1.2 CV—2-1/2” in quartersawn white oak (Weathered Oak stain).
Windswept View
2012. Oil on linen on board, 14″ x 18″.
Framed in No. 2.3 CV—3” in quartersawn white oak (Medieval Oak stain).
Fletcher Lake Impressions
2012. Oil on linen on birch, 12″ x 16″. Framed in No. 2.1—3″ in quartersawn white oak (Medieval Oak stain).