biography
James Van Fossan, b. 1964. Resides in Fruita, Colorado.
Since leaving the corporate world to focus on his art full time eighteen years ago, the self taught Van Fossan has come to command some of the highest recognitions in realism.
James Van Fossan began his oil
painting career studying with Duffy Sheridan. “He was responsible for getting me started in oil painting and was hugely influential and inspirational, and still is. He is a model of discipline and excellence. Although I only spent roughly 20 hours in his studio watching him work and listening to his views on beauty and painting, I will always hear his voice in my head as I paint. I am forever thankful for that opportunity”.
James’ 2015 masterpiece Drama Magnifico was purchased in 2020 and is currently being considered for public display. His 2012 painting, Magnum Opus, claimed the coveted Chairman’s Choice Award in the 2012/2013 International Art Renewal Center Salon, as well as the Best of Show prize for the The Collection Beaux-Arts Réaliste International Competition (Montreal, Canada) in 2014. His work has been featured in American Art Collector, International Artist Magazine, Southwest Art, Western Art Collector, LUXE Magazine as well as other art and lifestyle publications. Van Fossan is also represented in the permanent collection of the European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona, Spain.
curriculum vitae
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018 One Man-show, Colorado Country Club of the Rockies, Edwards, Colorado
2013 One-Man Show, Alpen Art, Vail, Colorado
2013 “Meet The Artist”, Open House Event – Private Residence, Breckenridge, Colorado
2011 “Rhythms of Grace”, Cathedral Center for the Arts, Phoenix, Arizona
2009 “Face Forward; A Benefit for Mending the Soul Ministries”, Rive Gauche Art Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022 “From Sea to Sky” (two-man show)
Abend Gallery Denver, CO
2016 11th Annual International Guild of Realism Salon, Denver, CO
2015 Special Exhibition: Drama Magnifico, Great Jones Space, NYC
2014 9th Annual International Guild of Realism Salon, Charleston, SC
2013 8th Annual International Guild of Realism Salon, Tempe, AZ
2013 Aspen Antiques & Fine Arts Festival, Aspen, CO
2013 Salon International, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX
2012 World of Art Showcase, Las Vegas, NV
2012 7th Annual International Guild of Realism Salon, Carmel, CA
2011 83rd Annual American Artists Professional League Grand National Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, New York, New York
2011 International Guild of Realism 6th Annual Exhibition, Sage Creek Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
2011 Scottsdale Salon of Fine Art, Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona
2011 “Martinis & Masterpieces”, The Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona
2011 “Sacred Places” & “Sacred Messages”, Herberger Theater, Phoenix, Arizona
2010 82nd Annual American Artists Professional League Grand National Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, New York, New York
2010 International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, Texas
2007 “Fresh Eyes”, The Phippen Museum, Prescott, Arizona
AWARDS
2016 Best of Figurative Award International Guild of Realism Exhibition, Denver, Colorado
2015 March BEST OF SHOW Award, Raymar Art Contest, March 2015
2014 Honorable Mention & Finalist Awards, Art Renewal Center International Salon 2013-2014
2014 FIRST PLACE prize, Collection Beaux-Arts Réaliste International Competition, Montreal, Canada
2013 Chairman’s Choice Award, Art Renewal Center’s International Salon 2012-2013
2012 Finalist, Art Renewal Center’s International Figurative Category, 2011/2012 ARC Salon
2012 Inducted into Art Renewal Center (ARC) as Associate Living Master
2011 Collectors’ Choice Award, International Guild of Realism Exhibition, Santa Fe, New Mexico
2011 Finalist, Art Renewal Center’s International Figurative Category, 2010/2011 ARC Salon
2010 Third Place, Cover Art Contest, Artist Portfolio Magazine
2010 Raymond Chow Memorial Award. 82nd Grand National Exhibition: American Artists Professional League, New York
2010 Finalist, Art Renewal Center’s International Figurative Category, 2009/2010 ARC Salon
2010 Honorable Mention, International Masters of Fine Art, San Antonio, Texas
2009 Finalist, The Artist’s Magazine 26th Annual Art Competition: Portrait/Figure Category, December issue
2009 Inductee into the International Guild of Realism, Scottsdale, Arizona
2008 Finalist, International Artist Magazine, Scottsdale, Arizona
2007 2nd place award recipient: Drawing Category, Phippen Museum Western Art Show, Prescott, Arizona
2006 Recipient of the Phippen Family Award for a Drawing, The Phippen Museum, Prescott, Arizona
2005 Semi-Finalist, Art Renewal Center’s International Drawing Figurative Category, ARC Salon
BIBLIOGRAPHY
“Pushing the Boundaries of Representation”, American Art Collector, May 2015, Issue 115, p. 108
“Artistic Touch.”, Insider Feature, Luxe. Interior+Design Magazine, Gold List Edition, January 2014, Vol. 12, No. 1, p. 138
“Watching their Figures”, Southwest Art Magazine, November 2013, Vol. 43, No. 6, p. 106
“Advancing Realism”, American Art Collector Magazine, October 2013, Vol. 96, p. 151
“Associate Living Master” of Realism James Van Fossan Captures the Struggles and Triumphs of Life With Works Like His Latest ‘Magnum Opus’ — and Sets His Sights on Exhibiting in NYC and L.A. NBC NEWS. www.msnbc.msn.com. January 14, 2013
“World of Art Showcase Adds A Powerful Touch of Realism with Colorado-Based Painter James Van Fossan”. NBC NEWS. www.msnbc.msn.com. November 27, 2012.
“Unveiling in Vail”, Western Art Collector, December 2012, Vol. 64, p. 90
“Realist Tradition”, American Art Collector, September 2012, Vol. 83, p.173
“Representations of Grace”, Beaver Creek Magazine, 2011-2012, p.48
“11th-Hour Sale”, Southwest Art Magazine, May 2012, Vol. 41, No 18., p. 26
“Get Real”, American Art Collector Magazine, Scottsdale, Arizona, October 2011, Vol. 72, p. 102
“Face Forward”, American Art Collector Magazine, Scottsdale, Arizona, January 2009, Vol. 39, p. 124
“James Van Fossan, Finalist Segment”, International Artist Magazine, Scottsdale, Arizona, December/January 2009, Vol. 64, p. 9
Jakubisin, Jeanette. “Sold! Mission Accomplished”, American Art Collector Magazine, Scottsdale, Arizona, October
