CHOOSE AN ARTIST
FROM THE LIST
CHOOSE AN ARTIST
FROM THE LIST
Foreword to "The Misadventures of Pete the Cat"
by Kim Dean
reprinted by permission
EARLY YEARS
Born 1957 in Fort Payne Alabama, James Dean spent a majority of his early years moving place to place, mostly around Alabama and Texas. Much of his artistic influence is attributed to his father. His father, a self-taught artist, had a great deal of talent. James spent his early childhood watching his father, reproduce the art of the masters. His father bounced from one career to another only able to do artwork in his spare time. Even with his incredible talent his father never sold a painting.
James, still only in first grade, had begun drawing from cartoons such as Disney and Snoopy. His grandmother was the first to hang a James Dean original on the wall, a well-done drawing of Yogi bear. Working as a traveling salesman his father began to sell courses from the Famous Artist School. James enjoyed studying and learning from the materials his father sold. Reading books about art James realized he “got it”. He already had a grasp of fundamental drawing principles at a very early age. At the age of 13,his parents divorced. James returned to Fort Payne Alabama with his mother and younger siblings. Fort Payne was the home of his mother’s family. His grandparents became a positive force in his life. By his high school years, drawing had taken a back seat to his musical ability. His dad had always encouraged James’s music desiring him to become a concert pianist and his high school did not offer any art classes. James dreamed of becoming a professional musician while playing in a small band. Even with multiple creative talents, James did not want to struggle as his father had. Having suffered with his family financially James focused seriously on academics.In 1976 James left for Auburn University to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering. He often watched the art students on campus and envied their path as he struggled in his course studies. Finally, he broke down and took a drawing course. His teacher encouraged James to follow his natural artistic talent. Discouraged by the belief that all artists starve, James completed his engineering degree. He began working as an Electrical Engineer with Georgia Power Company after graduation. Drawing and music had been left behind thought to be broken dreams.OLD FRIEND
In his thirties, living in Athens Georgia, working as an engineer, James found the financial security he had longed for during his childhood. Despite having a solid career James felt the tugging of his heart to draw. The need woke him up hours before work and he found that the “old friend” had not left him. Even after ten years, his drawing ability and desire were still there waiting patiently for him. James joined the local co-op gallery where he could show some of his work. He continued working as an engineer, moving up the corporate ladder believing that he would continue art as a hobby until he retired. His art began to sell and people were interested in his work. After a couple of years James was faced with the extremely difficult decision of leaving the security of a steady paycheck for the dream of being an artist. In 1997, James left Georgia Power and became a full-time artist, giving himself a year to become successful. He could be found around Athens drawing landscapes and local businesses. Showing his work during AthFest gave James the positive feedback he needed to know he was on the right path. After the first year he was still not making enough to live on, but knew he was doing what he loved. He held fast with hopes that his success would only grow with more time. NEW CAT ON THE SCENE
In 1999, Slim, his cat of 14 years, passed away. She was very special. He had grown to love her even more since he had begun working at home. When he had first gotten Slim she had hidden under the furniture most of the time. Eventually, after much food bribery, she became affectionate. She loved to be close to him. James appreciated her catness; sometimes aloof and cranky, but mostly affectionate. He watched her survive several close calls over the 14 years and really came to understand the meaning of 9 lives. When she passed James did not want a replacement. As fate would have it a cage of kittens appeared, several months later, at an Art Festival James was in. A scrawny black kitten sticking his paw out the cage caught his eye. After James wrestled all the cons the kitten won out and found a new home. James hoped this ugly kitten wouldn’t bring the legendary black cat “bad luck.”While Pete was a kitten he spent a great deal of time sitting on James’ lap. James had never spent so much time with a kitten and soon felt as if Pete was his child.James loved doing watercolor landscapes. They were selling well and he was happy being a full-time artist. Then one day Camille Morgan a friend from an Athens gallery suggested that James draw a picture of his new cat Pete. He had never really thought that cats would be a subject for him; he loved drawing landscapes and old cars. Then one day it happened. The skinny, mischievous black kitten stopped his normal running around the studio and sat still. James was amazed to see the kitten stop. James thought Pete looked deep in thought and felt the urge to take a picture. By the time he got the camera Pete was off to his next adventure and James was left to draw him from memory. The drawing, though simple, captured the moment. James felt good about the sketch and decided to paint it. He puzzled over the color- black? But what if everyone else thought “bad luck”, so James opted for blue. Blue fit the mood James had seen Pete as having in that brief moment.The painting of Pete had it’s first debut at the next art festival. Surrounded by paintings of landscapes the Pete painting stood out. People commented about the “blue cat” and smiled. The next day a woman returned unable to stop thinking about Pete. She HAD to have him. That was the beginning of Pete’s journey.THE MUSE
Pete became the muse. James started painting Pete doing “cat” things: sitting in the laundry basket, hanging on the screen door, sleeping. Then James started thinking about things Pete might do when no one was watching. Maybe driving the VW or drinking coffee. The possibilities were endless.Then one day Pete didn’t come home. James watched the screen door for days, weeks, waiting for Pete to be there. He had only had Pete for nine months, time enough for the birth of a great idea. Pete had come in and out of James’s life very quickly, but had inspired him more than he had even imagined. Pete’s adventures filled the days, weeks and years. There are now hundreds of Pete paintings and more coming everyday. THE ARTIST’S JOURNEY
James Dean has found immense pleasure in sharing his work with others. His work has been described as simple, honest and joyful. James hs managed to bring many people smiles through his art. He has spent many hours talking to people about cats. The life of and artist is sometimes difficult, but he wouldn’t trade it. His message to anyone who feels the artistic calling, is to find a way. The path is there for you. He hopes to spend the rest of his life talking about cats and making art."An artist has to be careful never really to arrive at a place where he thinks he’s at somewhere… You always have to realize you’re constantly in a state of becoming…" Bob Dylan
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