Jim Lee

Artist Statement

For as far back as he can recall, Jim Lee has always painted.

“Once at the age of four, while stationed at a small U.S. Navy outpost with my father, mother and two sisters, I found a paint locker open and unattended, and proceeded to paint the Commanding Officer’s jeep that was parked close by. One of many adventures that has let me express myself with color.”

Jim came to the foothills of central California after a 24 year journey from his birth place in Boulder, Colorado, that included stops in Japan, the Philippines, Hawaii, Guam, Alaska and various coastal cities in California and the Pacific Northwest.

He began surfing at age twelve while living in Ocean Beach, CA. in the late 50’s. Jim could be seen towing his Balsa wood board to the beach on a makeshift trailer hitched to his bike. Since then most of his travels have centered on chasing the perfect wave. Painting has always been an outlet for expressing the feeling surfing has brought. Along the way, he studied art at the Monterey Peninsula College, Portland State University, University of Guam, and four years at Sierra College, studying print-making with John Hamilton.

All images © Copyright Jim Lee 2015