James Coleman is an American Artist who's name is synonymous with sweeping skies, tropical rain forests, rich deep woods and silent deserts. Coleman was born in Hollywood, California in 1949 and a youth, his creative abilities seemed to dominate his world. In 1969 Coleman found his creative energies welcomed by Walt Disney Productions. His first film, "Winnie, the Pooh and Tigger, Too", sparked his interest not only in painting backgrounds but also in background design and color styling. As an animation background designer, while at Disney Studios, James Coleman styled and worked on twelve films and over thirty short subjects which included "Mickey's Christmas Carol","The Fox and the Hound", "The Great Mouse Detective", "The Black Cauldron", "The Little Mermaid", and Academy Award-winning, "Beauty and the Beast".  Winnie the Pooh, The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast came to life with James Coleman's background images gracing the silver screen. Twenty-two years with Disney found him ready to develop all of his time and talent to the love of his life, fine art. Today he continues to illuminate the art world with vibrant colors, gentle moods, powerful design and exquisite detail. Coleman works in oil, watercolor, guache and pastel. His work is impressionistic and luminous. Coleman began doing paintings of the islands in the early 1980's. Though traditional in technique and medium, James Coleman's tropical pieces are anything but traditional. They are a fresh and unique personal view of Hawaii.

James Coleman is a master of color, light and design who has in recent years made him one of the most collected and sought after artists in Hawaii and around the world. James Coleman pieces can be found in many fine, personal and corporate collections including the Disney family and corporate collections. Coleman is a naturalist and environmentalist who involves himself with the National Parks and other environmental organizations. He has been a finalist five years in the Arts for the Parks competition. The contribution made by Coleman to the world of art over the last twenty-six years, both in film and fine art, make him one of the most collected artists in contemporary art. His work is represented by some of the most prominent and respected galleries in North America, the Orient and the Hawaiian Islands.