Atlanta’s Jim Wise blurs the lines between fantasy and reality in his large, dreamlike paintings.
The artist: Wise grew up in Raleigh, NC, and graduated with a BS degree in visual design from North Carolina State University.
After graduation, Wise moved to Atlanta to pursue a design career. His first job was work at John H. Harland, the check maker, mostly designing bank logos.
Always painting on the side, Wise worked in various graphic design positions before he and his wife (Hollis) opened their own studio. Wise retired in 2018 to focus on painting full time.
The company/studio: Jim Wise Design. The former graphic designer and artist works out a dedicated studio in his dream house (built in 2017) in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.
The studio features a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows that look north over Freedom Parkway.
“In summer, it is basically tree tops and a forest view,” said Wise. In winter, I can see the Ponce City Market tower and Midtown high-rises.”
The goods & materials: Mostly large-scale, meticulously painted oil paintings on linen or canvas.
What’s popular: Paintings with roses in their various shapes and colors. Also paintings of the sky and clouds ($2,000 to $4,500).
Other favorites: Tarnished silver flatware series ($1,000 to $3,500).
Inspirations: Art history and:
- Rene Magritte and Georgia O’Keeffe, 20th century faves.
- Still-life paintings from the Dutch Golden Age.
- Contemporary artists, including: Yanina (Yana) Movchan, Michael Zigmond and Guy Robinson.
Fun or special request: A new commission for a shell for beach-front condo in Naples, FL.
Claim to fame: Being a docent at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.
Big break (s):
- Taking an “Ignite” course at C-4 Atlanta (c4atlanta.org), a non-profit arts group. The “invaluable” seminar offers guidance to creatives on how to develop business plans.
Other advice: Get out and be visible. He started to drop in at galleries during the week and attend openings.
- Being introduced to Spalding Nix, Atlanta native and owner Spalding Nix Fine Art gallery.
Wise and Nix met in the parking deck at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) one rainy day during the early months of Covid. Nix took a look at the art and agreed to represent Wise.
“It was all sort of surreal,” said Wise.
What’s next: A series of rose/cloud paintings for a group show at Spalding Nix Fine Art, July 23 to Sept. 10.
Where to buy: jimwisedesign.com and spaldingnixfineart.com
Get social at:
- Facebook: Jim Wise
- Instagram: Jim Wise Design
