Behind the Brush

James Ziots is a West Seattle-based artist who has spent over 30 years capturing the world's most unique landscapes in oil. Mostly self-taught, his primary influence stems from the 19th-century masters of the Hudson River School, whose work brilliantly captured the raw magnificence of the Pacific Northwest. While James has historically worked on a private commission basis, this online gallery marks the very first time his collection is available to the public. Above all, he paints for the pure joy of the process—finding peace and relaxation in translating the beauty of our world onto canvas.

The Craft & Technique

Each painting is built using a rigorous, traditional approach. James utilizes the classic Grisaille technique, first establishing a highly detailed underpainting entirely in monochrome to perfect the form and value scale. Only then does he apply multiple layers of translucent color. While this slow, meticulous process takes time, it yields a complex, vibrant oil painting where light travels through the layers and reflects off the underpainting, creating an extraordinary depth of color.