K I N G N E O N
The Paintings of James 'Kingneon' Guçwa (pronounced Gooz-wa').
ABOUT THE ARTIST
"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." -- Albert Schweitzer
Equine painting in progress.
James 'Kingneon' Guçwa was born with a paintbrush in his hand. There was never any doubt in his mind that, one way or another, he would become a professional fine art painter. This was his dream.
After obtaining a BFA in painting, he yearned for more and began additional study as a private student at the Dan Welden Lithographic Studio in Long Island, N.Y., and shortly after, as a painting apprentice in the art studio of the late contemporary painter, Gregory Gillespie, (Fulbright Scholarship, Whitney Museum, Hirshhorn Museum, Forum Gallery, N.Y.C.).
The French post-impressionist, Paul Gauguin, moved to Tahiti to live and paint its people and tropical landscape. Admiring this artist's choice, Guçwa left for the island of Jamaica to do the same.
James' view from his backyard home in Port Antonio, Jamacia
Purchasing just a one-way ticket, his easel, paints. a 10-speed bike, and $300., he set off to the Caribbean. James was looking for an inexpensive shack to rent, away from tourist areas. He pedaled around the island until he found the town of Port Antonio where he painted his days away drinking coconut water, Red Stripe beers, and swimming. After a few months he realized he was low on cash when a Jamaican entrepreneur approached him. The man wanted James to paint him a sign for the new lobster house he was planning to open. James never painted a sign before but needing the money, he accepted. When he returned to the states, it was this sign that prompted him to begin painting vintage signs on canvas as fine art.
James is currently represented by the Leslie Levy Fine Art Online Gallery and the Xanadu Gallery, both in Scottsdale, AZ. He welcomes additional representation.
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'Blue Swallow Motel' acrylic on panel, 15" x 24"
His photorealistic paintings of vintage neon signs caught the eye of one fine art gallery after another and before long he was having one-man exhibitions in some of the finest art galleries across the country, from Scottsdale to L.A., San Francisco to New York City, and points in between. In 1998 he was made an Officially Licensed fine artist for Harley-Davidson, Chevrolet-Corvette, and Mattel Toys/Hot Wheels Division. The two images below are available as limited-edition, museum quality, signed and numbered, paper prints (not posters)
'Bill and Wanda' acrylic on canvas, 64" x 48". Limited Edition prints are available.
'King & I' acrylic on canvas, 64" x 48". Limited Edition prints are available.
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'Portrait of the Artist' acrylic on canvas, 30" x 24"
James will paint any subject of your choice, photo-realistically or in his more recent Fauvism style (shown above). He also paints caricatures, portraits, and even old master studies you've always admired. The good news is that he is usually willing to work with you to paint an original that fits into your budget. It should be noted that the artist will hold any painting with a small deposit and can make arrangements for convenient periodic payments to be made on any piece of art until fully paid. If you like his work, he suggests you contact him directly for a satisfying result.
In addition to painting, Guçwa has published four of his Artbooks, and using the pseudonym of J.G. Cragg, two novels with a third in progress, and one non-fiction book. He also plays saxophone and the EWI (electric wind instrument, shown below) professionally. The music on the Home page is James playing his EWI. He also enjoys chess (challenge Kingneon on chess.com).
