“Invisible Interactions,” Currently on view at Macadam Gallery. Photo courtesy of the artist
"When I began using ivory black exclusively, it was initially to challenge myself to work within tight parameters and discover a creative universe within."
This strict limitation led Artwork Archive's Featured Artist James Austin Murray to create works that are anything but simple.
With just ivory black oil paint, a wood-panel canvas, and wallpaper brushes—up to nine affixed to a long handle—James achieves surface effects that draw the viewer into an immersive, almost otherworldly visual experience.
His brushstrokes invite the eye on a journey over textured landscapes of light and shadow, with folds and creases that seem to extend endlessly, offering a visceral connection to the history of pigment itself.
Artwork Archive had the chance to chat with James Austin Murray about his creative process, the advice he has for other artists, and how Artwork Archive helps him manage his studio and art career!
You can see more of his work on Discovery and learn more about his art practice below.
James Austin Studio (JAM STUDIO INC.) Understanding & Forgetting, 60 x 60 in, 2019
Can you walk us through your creative process?
I often work on multiple paintings simultaneously, though it's not a strict rule.
When exploring something experimental or personal that I don’t expect to perfectly align with my overall body of work, I might start with one or two pieces as a kind of exploratory mission.
However, when I have a clearer vision, I typically set up between four and six canvases to dive into. To keep things exciting, I constantly challenge myself by imposing new limitations or breaking through previous ones.
My goal isn't just to create a valid painting, but to find new challenges that keep the process interesting and help my work develop further.
What draws you to working exclusively with ivory black oil paint?
When I began using Ivory Black exclusively, it was initially to challenge myself to work within tight parameters and discover a creative universe within.
That limitation proved to be the right challenge at the time. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention, and for me, this couldn't be truer.
I also have a profound artistic interest in the history of this particular pigment, which connects to other aspects of my work.
Ivory Black is either the same or closely related to pigments our ancestors used when they lived in caves, recording their existence pictorially.
James Austin Studio (JAM STUDIO INC.), Silver Starfish,, 72 x 72 in. 2020
If there’s one thing you’d like viewers to take away from your work, what would it be?
My black paintings have an interactive quality: when you view them from one spot, they'll look different compared to another perspective just a few steps away.
I hope people will consider how light plays a role in this transformation.
I could delve into this topic for an entire chapter, but ultimately, I want viewers to reflect on light and their relationship to it in a new way.
In hindsight, what’s something you wish you knew before becoming a professional artist?
For more than twenty years, I dedicated myself wholeheartedly to my art without earning a living from it.
One lesson I wish I had learned sooner is that while you can always create more artwork, you can never turn back time to make more of what you were creating then.
I lost a painting years ago that was one of the few I had left from my early twenties. It struck me that, while I could create similar pieces, I could never recreate that exact moment in time.
Now, I produce as much work as I can to ensure I never experience that loss again.
Preserve Your Art While You Move Forward:
Your art captures who you are at a specific moment.
Each piece holds memories, lessons, and milestones from your journey. Documenting your work honors your growth and experiences, and builds your artistic legacy.
With tools like Artwork Archive, you can organize and safeguard your artwork, keeping every piece accessible as you continue moving forward.
Don’t let the past slip away; carry it with you.
James Austin Studio (JAM STUDIO INC.), Aloha, 36 x 36 in, 2018
What do you think is the most misunderstood aspect of being a professional artist?
It seems to me that many people view an artist's life as easy and romantic.
However, the artists I know who make a living from their work are constantly busy. Complete dedication is essential for success—and I don't just mean financially or commercially.
It can be very solitary, requiring intense, sometimes mind-aching focus.
For every gallery opening I've had, I've spent countless sweaty days driving rented trucks filled with artwork, doing grunt work, and handling plenty of unromantic tasks.
That said, it has definitely been worth it.
Was there a specific instance or time you realized you needed something like Artwork Archive to inventory your artwork and manage your art career?
Yes, there was.
While reviewing my poorly kept inventory list, I realized I had seemingly lost a large painting. It took me a month to locate it.
As it turns out, one of my galleries had sold it, and I had already been paid.
We artists are notoriously poor at bookkeeping, so it’s crucial for us to keep good records.
Artwork Archive has become an essential tool for my practice, and I’d be lost without it.
James Austin Murray, JAM STUDIO INC., Dancing Down (hold GIlman), 60 x 60 in., 2023
What is your favorite Artwork Archive feature?
Private Rooms are my favorite feature! They make it so easy to share available work options with galleries and clients.
Elevate Your Client Experience Using Private Rooms:
With Private Rooms, you can easily create personalized collections of your work to share with galleries and clients. Think of it as your own VIP showroom—add pieces, set prices, and share the right details.
It’s a great way to keep things professional and exclusive without making your entire portfolio public—but, you can still do that too :)
What advice would you give an artist who’s just starting out in their professional career?
The best advice I can give is: don't make work for anyone else.
Make work you like and work that you love—and make as much of it as possible.
If I were advising my younger self as an artist, I'd say not to worry about success in the broader sense—it's not as important as making work you truly believe in.
Make work that challenges you and is difficult to produce. If you do that, the rest will fall into place.
Almost every artist I know who has kept at it consistently for years has ended up making some kind of living from their art.
Make the work itself the most important thing because it IS the most important thing.
Keep Your Focus on Art, Let Artwork Archive Handle the Rest:
While your artwork is the heart of your career, keeping your art business organized is the support system that lets it thrive. Artwork Archive helps you manage the essentials—like inventory, sales, and client contacts—so you can focus on creating.
James uses Artwork Archive to build his artistic legacy, share his artwork with galleries and collectors, and a lot more.
You can make an online portfolio, catalog your artwork, and generate reports like inventory reports, tear sheets, and invoices in seconds with Artwork Archive. Take a look at Artwork Archive's free trial and start growing your art business.
