Jim was born and raised in Dawson Creek, BC, Canada
After graduating he worked several jobs in British Columbia before transferring to Waterways Alberta (now known as Ft.McMurray) with the Northern Alberta Railway. While James lived there the oil industry and the highway opened up the region. He then moved to Peace River and hired on with Alberta Government Telephones travelling throughout Alberta for five years. He, his wife Donna and their family settled in Cold Lake, remaining there for the duration of a thirty seven year career maintaining telephone offices, mobile radio, microwave, and rural phone systems.

Painter, art instructor, sculptor and poet

James has produced works as a painter, art instructor, sculptor, and poet. His works are in wood, oxy-acetelyne-metal, brush and ink, oil painting and watercolours. The courses he taught were in perspective, drawing, and watercolours. His poems are not published although he is always willing to open his book to friends and family.
Canada and worldwide
The artworks James produced are in many countries throughout the world. Australians, French, Belgians, Indonesians, Ecuadorians and Columbians have taken his artwork home. Customers have bought his work to take to Japan, Tongo,and Germany. James’ work has been presented to dignitaries and businessmen from China.
His art was presented to Lieutenant Governor Raph Steinhauer by the Mayor of Grand Centre, and a number of James’ works are in the City of Cold Lake permanent collection.
While living in Cold Lake, James’ art was sold at galleries in Edmonton, Calgary, Banff and Cold Lake. His work is known to hang in homes and businesses from Vancouver Island to Halifax.
I have spent some time in the last two years photographing farm and wild animals, as well as the North Pine fall fair activities. The heavy horse competitions were especially awe-inspiring. Some of the oldtimers that work their Belgians, mules and Percherons are a treat to see. History will always be an important feature of art. The time in which I have lived has stretched from coal-oil lamps, wood cookstoves, iceboxes, and battery radios to the present….digital almost everything!! It is hard to know what part of this to put on canvas.
— James Arnott
