James Putnam Abbott began his serious exploration of image-making in late 1980's.  He studied at the  Maryland Institute College of Art and the Maine Photographic Workshops and presented several one-man  shows of his images in Baltimore in early 1990's.  A major retrospective show in Omaha in 2004 marked James’ return to public presentation of his work.  That show was followed by nationally juried exhibitions in Texas, Minnesota, Maryland and Wyoming, as well as private gallery exhibitions in Maine and Nebraska. 

James divides his time between Omaha, Nebraska and Port Clyde, Maine, continuing his studio creation of dramatic images featuring the female body and now making short videos for web presentation and gallery installation. His “Clothed in Light” series continues to be central in his work, affecting all the rest. Three of these images were selected to appear in “All Allure,”  a volume of erotic art published in Germany in the spring of 2006.

James is exploring the dreams of voyeurs (he counts himself as one), the subtle expression (usually without the fetish props) of sexual dominance and/or submission, and the fun of strip poker.  he has provided comments on a number of his images at Annotated Images and Nudes and Nakeds.

The artist’s figurative work is generated out of an intense collaboration with his models:

I always admire the strength of the women who work with me to create art that features not only their beauty and intensity, but also their power, energy and courage.  I make images of strong naked women because there is nothing else in the world that I like as much.  It’s not even close.

Recently James has been working with copper, steel, brass, wax and a variety of found objects, developing new and creative means to display his images in unique mixed media presentations, as well as complex constructions layered around his images and, at other times, entirely independent of his previous image-making.

James is drawing together a book featuring his Clothed in Light series. The book will incorporate images, text and video in a unique multi-media presentation.  If you are a publisher, and are interested in hearing more, please contact me.

If  you are a gallery owner, and are interested in my work, please contact  me about representation.