Soul Singer by Laura James

Soul Singer by Laura James, 1998, Acrylic on canvas, 26 x 22 inches

Laura James has been working as a professional artist and illustrator for over twenty-five years. In addition to painting sacred images from various religions, she portrays women, families, and scenes of everyday life; blending intricate patterns, text, vibrant colors and sometimes surreal imagery into what she calls “art for the people.” A first-generation Antiguan American Laura is best known for her illustrations in The Book of the Gospels lectionary published in 2000 by Liturgy Training Publications, Chicago, Illinois. An award-winning edition of the four gospels, it includes 34 paintings rendered in the Ethiopian Christian Art style which over the years Ms. James has made her own. The book is used worldwide by numerous Christian denominations and her religious art is at the forefront of the movement toward a more inclusive representation of Biblical figures. Laura James’ work is widely collected and exhibited, and Ms. James has also organized many exhibitions and special projects. Represented by Bridgeman Art Library for more than a decade, her images have been published in hundreds of publications and media. Ms. James first attempt at illustrating a children’s picture book titled Anna Carries Water by Jamaican Canadian writer Olive Senior and published by Tradewind Books, received many favorable reviews. Her most fully illustrated publication, “My Mother Was A Nanny” was recently launched by Groundwood Books. She lives and works in The Bronx, NY.