About
The realism in my work is oriented toward the sensuous consumption and reinterpretation of the real world. I am not interested in how closely I can mimic physical images in paint, but rather in how I can change and distort them to suit my personal aesthetic. When I paint an image, I break it down in my mind and put it back together in the second dimension as if it were a puzzle. The pieces of the puzzle are the compositional elements of shape, texture, light, value, hue, line, etc. If the elements are assembled harmoniously, the painting will function well as both an abstract composition and a realistic image.
I have been working as a professional fine artist since 1971. My realist oils, watercolors, aquatint etchings, and drawings have been widely exhibited nationally and internationally. Many of my artworks are housed in the permanent collections of American Museums.
I am best known for my photo-based realism, though working from life is still an active part of my creative process. My imagery has centered on “everyday” America; shifting over the years from trucks, to railways, to amusement parks, to waterfronts, to fireworks booths, to deserted drive-in theaters, to coastal landscapes. Through these shifts in subject matter, related architecture has been a steadily repeated motif.
Recently, my creation of realist images has been interlaced with explorations into video productions, computer generated imagery, experiments with a more graphic surrealist style, and the digital recording of my own songs and musical compositions.
Find specifics on collections which include my work, solo exhibitions, group exhibitions, and publication references to my work below.
Academic Training
San Francisco State University 1973 - 1974
Painting / Printmaking M. A.
California College of Arts and Crafts 1969 - 1973
General Fine Arts B. F. A. (with high distinction)
Museum Collections
SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART; San Francisco, CA
OAKLAND MUSEUM; Oakland, CA
ACHENBACH FOUNDATION FOR THE GRAPHIC ARTS,
CALIFORNIA PALACE OF THE LEGION OF HONOR; San Francisco, CA
BROOKLYN MUSEUM; Brooklyn, NY
ALBRIGHT KNOX ART GALLERY; Buffalo, NY
MUSEUM OF ART, CARNEGIE INSTITUTE; Pittsburgh, PA
MUSEUM OF ART, RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN; Providence, RI
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY, PRINT COLLECTION; New York, NY
CHICAGO ART INSTITUTE; Chicago, IL
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS; Washington D.C.
DELAWARE ART MUSEUM; Wilmington, DE
DENVER ART MUSEUM; Denver, CO
SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART; Santa Barbara, CA
DETROIT ART INSTITUTE; Detroit, MI
STANFORD UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF ART; Stanford, CA
UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY; New Jersey, NJ
DE CORDOVA MUSEUM; Lincoln, MA
JANE VOORHEES ZIMMERLI ART MUSEUM; New Brunswick, NJ
BOISE ART MUSEUM; Boise, ID
UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM; U.C.Berkeley; Berkeley, CA
ARKANSAS ART CENTER; Little Rock, Arkansas
HEARST ART GALLERY; Saint Mary¹s College; Moraga, CA
Solo Exhibitions
2017 CITY ARTS GALLERY, City College of San Francisco, CA
2013 OCEANA ART GALERY, Pacifica, CA
2012 SFMOMA ARTIST GALLERY, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA
2011 OLIVER HYDE ARTGALLERY, Freemont, CA
2004 DISTRICT ARTS GALLERY, Birmingham, MI
2001 33 GOUGH STREET SHOWCASE, San Francisco, CA
2000 POWELL STREET GALLERY, San Francisco, Ca
1999 CITY ARTS GALLERY, City College of San Francisco, CA
1999 SANCHEZ ART CENTER; Pacifica, CA
1997 FOG CITY JAVA, Pacifica, CA (funded by grant from Philanthropic Ventures Foundation)
1997 SAN MATEO COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM, San Mateo, CA
1996 ERIKSEN GALLERY, Half Moon Bay, CA
1994 ART FORMS UNLIMITED; Pacifica, CA
1993 HORVATH GALLERY; Sacramento, CA
1992 CUDAHY’S GALLERY; New York, NY
1991 JOHN BERGGRUEN GALLERY; San Francisco, CA
1988 JOHN BERGGRUEN GALLERY; San Francisco, C
1987 CONCEPT ART GALLERY; Pittsburgh, PA
1986 JOHN BERGGRUEN GALLERY; San Francisco, CA
1984 DUBINS GALLERY; Los Angeles, CA
1983 GRAPHICS 1 and GRAPHICS 2; Boston, MA
1983 JOHN BERGGRUEN GALLERY; San Francisco, CA
1982 MUSEUM OF ART, CARNEGIE INSTITUTE; Pittsburgh, PA
1981 GELTER / PALL; New York, NY
1980 GRAPHICS 1 and GRAPHICS 2; Boston, MA
1980 JOHN BERGGRUEN GALLERY; San Francisco, CA
1980 RICHMOND ART CENTER; Richmond, CA
1979 SAN JOSE MUSEUM OF ART; San Jose, CA
1978 VAN STRAATEN GALLERY; Chicago, IL
1978 JOHN BERGGRUEN GALLERY; San Francisco, CA
1977 GALERIE JURKA; Amsterdam, NL
1976 ACHENBACH FOUNDATION FOR THE GRAPHIC ARTS, CALIFORNIA PALACE OF THE LEGION OF HONOR, San Francisco, CA
1975 CONTEMPORARY GRAPHICS CENTER, SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART; CA
1975 NANCY HOFFMAN GALLERY; New York, NY
1974 JOHN BERGGRUEN GALLERY; San Francisco, CA
1973 GUMP’S GALLERY; San Francisco, CA
1972 REISINGER GALLERIES; San Francisco, CA
1972 ALMOND ROD GALLERY; San Francisco, CA
Group Exhibitions
EXHIBITION RECORD 2011
Open Road (3 person exhibition) Oliver Hyde Art Gallery, Fremont, CA
Annual Faculty Shows 2010; City Arts Gallery, C.C.S.F.; San Francisco, CA
EXHIBITION RECORD 2010
CCA Alumni Exhibition; Sanchez Art Center, Pacifica CA
Annual Faculty Shows 2010; City Arts Gallery, C.C.S.F.; San Francisco, CA
Ralph Borge A Symbolic Realist and His Circle, Hearst Art Gallery, S.M.C., Moraga, CA
American Art and Culture: Past and Present, De Young Museum, San Francisco, California
EXHIBITION RECORD 2000-2009
Annual Faculty Shows 2000-2009; City Arts Gallery, C.C.S.F.; San Francisco, CA
Comix/Cartoons Show; Rosenberg Library, C.C.S.F.; San Francisco, CA
Creative Roots; Rosenberg Library, C.C.S.F.; San Francisco, CA
EXHIBITION RECORD 1999
Watercolor: City Arts Gallery; City College of San Francisco; San Francisco, California
Spirit of the Coast; Impact Zone Productions; Cotanoa Lodge; Pescadero, California
Millennium: City Arts Gallery; City College of San Francisco; San Francisco, California
www - internet gallery exhibition: www.PowellStreetGallery.com
www - internet gallery exhibition: www.NextMonet.com
EXHIBITION RECORD 1998
10: San Francisco State University Art Alumni; Sanchez Art Center Gallery; Pacifica, California
EXHIBITION RECORD 1997
Structures: Buildings in American Art 1900 - 1997; John Berggruen Gallery; San Francisco, California
EXHIBITION RECORD 1996
Art From The Driver’s Seat: Americans and Their Cars: Kalamazoo Institute of Arts; Kalamazoo, Michigan
Art From The Driver’s Seat: Americans and Their Cars: Hudson River Museum; Yonkers, New York
Seventh Annual - All Creatures Great and Small: John Natsoulas Gallery; Davis, California
Surf’s Up: Bolinas Museum; Bolinas, California
EXHIBITION RECORD 1995
Art From The Driver’s Seat: Americans and Their Cars: Boise Art Museum; Boise, Idaho
Art From The Driver’s Seat: Americans and Their Cars: Tarble Arts Center, Eastern Illinois State University: Charleston, Illinois
Faculty Exhibition: Skyline College; San Bruno, California
Henrik Ibsen Park (private three person exhibition): Kings Mountain; Woodside, California
EXHIBITION RECORD 1994
Group Exhibition: Magidson Gallery; New York NY
Group Exhibition: Art Forms Unlimited; Pacifica CA
EXHIBITION RECORD 1993
American Paintings: Museum of Our National Heritage; Lexington MA
EXHIBITION RECORD 1992
New Horizons in American Realism: Knoxville Museum of Art; Knoxville TN
Local Landscape: PacTel Corporation; Walnut Creek CA
Oakland: Oakland Museum Collector’s Gallery; Oakland CA
Artists of Skyline College: Peninsula Art Association; Belmont CA
Summer Show: Cudahy’s Fine Art Gallery; New York NY
EXHIBITION RECORD 1991
New Horizons in American Realism: Flint Institute of Arts; Flint , Michigan and Philharmonic Center for the Arts; Naples, Florida
Selections from the Permanent Collection: Achenbach Foundation for the Graphic Arts, California Palace of the Legion of Honor; San Francisco CA
Large Scale Works on Paper: John Berggruen Gallery; San Francisco CA
Summer Show: Cudahy’s Fine Art Gallery; New York NY
EXHIBITION RECORD 1990
Group Show: Cudahy’s Fine Art Gallery; New York NY
Contemporary Realist Painting: Perception and Experience: Oliver Art Center, California College of Arts and Crafts; Oakland CA
Concord Collectors: Walnut Creek Art Center; Walnut Creek CA
College of San Mateo Faculty Art Exhibition: San Mateo County Arts Council; San Mateo CA
EXHIBITION RECORD 1989
Collector’s Choice - Contemporary Paintings and Drawings from the Collection of Ron and Cherie Petersen: Pence Gallery; Davis CA
Capitol a’la cARTe (food images): State Capitol Building (presented by Natsoulas / Novelozo Gallery); Sacramento CA
Faculty Art Exhibition: Skyline College; San Bruno CA
EXHIBITION RECORD 1988
Waterworks (three artists): Sierra Nevada Museum of Art; Reno, Nevada
Torlakson Watercolors and Prints: Natsoulas / Novelozo Gallery; Davis CA
Torlakson Prints: Wenniger Graphics; Boston MA
Billboards: Littlejohn - Smith Gallery; New York NY
EXHIBITION RECORD 1987
Realism: Art Museum of Santa Cruz County; Santa Cruz CA
Drawings By Contemporary Masters: Himovitz - Jensen Gallery; Sacramento CA
Two Realists: Concept Art Gallery; Pittsburgh PA
31st National Print Exhibition: Hunterdon Art Center; Clinton NJ
Parkside National Small Print Exhibition: Communication Arts Gallery; Kenosha WI
Mainstream America: The Collection of Phil Desind: The Butler Institute of American ART; Youngstown OH
Prints In Motion: Associated American Artists; New York NY
EXHIBITION RECORD 1986
James Torlakson, Watercolors and Graphics: Bechtel International Center, Stanford University Palo Alto CA
EXHIBITION RECORD 1985
The 20th Century: The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Collection: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; San Francisco CA
American Realism: Twentieth - Century Drawings and Watercolors: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; San Francisco CA
EXHIBITION RECORD 1984
Recent Acquisitions: Achenbach Foundation for the Graphic Arts, California Palace of the Legion of Honor; San Francisco CA
The Twenty - Third National Print Exhibition: The Brooklyn Museum; Brooklyn NY
EXHIBITION RECORD 1983
Gene Baro Collects: The Brooklyn Museum; Brooklyn NY
West Coast Realism: Laguna Beach Museum of Art; Laguna Beach CA
The American Artist as Printmaker, 23rd National Print Exhibition: The Brooklyn Museum; Brooklyn NY
Contemporary American Realism, since 1960: Chicago Art Institute; Chicago IL
EXHIBITION RECORD 1982
Contemporary American Realism, since 1960: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts; Philadelphia PA and The Oakland Museum; Oakland CA
Perspectives on Contemporary American Realism; Works of Art on Paper from the Collection of Jalane and Richard Davidson: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; Philadelphia PA
EXHIBITION RECORD 1981
Twenty - Second National Print Exhibition: The Brooklyn Museum; Brooklyn NY
100 New Acquisitions: The Brooklyn Museum; Brooklyn NY
Recent Acquisitions in Prints and Drawings: Rhode Island School of Design; Providence RI
EXHIBITION RECORD 1980
Realism: Civics Arts Gallery; Walnut Creek CA
The Light Is Different In California: Pratt Manhattan Center Gallery; New York NY
American Drawings In Black and White: The Brooklyn Museum; Brooklyn NY
EXHIBITION RECORD 1979
Recent Acquisitions: The Brooklyn Museum; Brooklyn NY
Recent Acquisitions: Achenbach Foundation for the Graphic Arts, California Palace of the Legion of Honor; San Francisco CA
Recent Acquisitions: The Oakland Museum; Oakland CA
VX International Soa Paulo Biennial, courtesy of the Brooklyn Museum and the International Communications Agency; Washington D. C. This exhibition traveled throughout Latin America.
EXHIBITION RECORD 1978
Eight West Coast Printmakers: The Brooklyn Museum; Brooklyn NY
Leading Realists and Current Abstract Art: Madison Gallery; Madison NJ
EXHIBITION RECORD 1977
Prints of the 1970’s: Museum of Fine Arts; Boston MA
EXHIBITION RECORD 1976
20th Annual Brooklyn Museum Print Exhibition: The Brooklyn Museum; Brooklyn NY
Contemporary Images in Watercolors: Akron Art Institute; Akron OH
EXHIBITION RECORD 1975
Permanent Collection: Recent Graphic Acquisitions: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; San Francisco CA
Photography and Hyper-Realism: M. Knoedler & Company; New York NY
Realist Painting in California: John Berggruen Gallery; San Francisco CA
California Graphics Exhibition: Three Dimensions Gallery; Berkeley CA and Printmakers Council of Great Britain; London, England
Hyper-Realism: Liliane Francois Galerie; Paris, France
EXHIBITION RECORD 1974
Selections in Contemporary Realism: Akron Art Institute; Akron OH
Fourth British International Print Biennial: Bradford Art Galleries and Museums; Yorkshire, England
Works on Paper: Virginia Museum of Art; VA
Variations on the Camera’s Eye: Smithsonian Institute; Washington D.C. and Occidental College; CA; Traveling Exhibition - South America
Three Printmakers Who Work From Watercolors: The Oakland Museum; Oakland CA
EXHIBITION RECORD 1973
Young Talent: John Berggruen Gallery; San Francisco CA
Video
SFMOMA Artists Gallery (YouTube) - Work of James Torlakson and William Farley, Link to 2013 interview (opens new browser window)
Bay Area Artist Episode One (Vimeo) - James Torlakson, Link to to 2012 film by Khaled Sayed (opens new browser window)
Art Publication References in Books & Magazines
Torlakson’s Pacifica 2023
Link to purchase Torlakson’s Pacifica on Blurb
Torlakson’s Daly City 2023
Link to purchase Torlakson’s Daly City on Blurb
Torlakson’s Amusement Parks 2023
Link to purchase Torlakson’s Amusement Parks on Blurb
Torlakson’s San Francisco 2023
Link to purchase Torlakson’s San Francisco on Blurb
Torlakson’s Nocturnal and Other Dark Imagery 2023
Link to purchase Torlakson’s Nocturnal and Other Dark Imagery on Blurb
VANESSA (for children of all ages) 2023
Link to purchase VANESSA on Blurb
Torlakson’s Trucks 2023
Link to purchase Torlakson’s Trucks on Blurb
NALU Longboard Surfing Discovery #19 2000: this 8 page interview in this Japanese magazine explores the artwork and life views of artist/surfer, James Torlakson; includes many photographs of Torlakson’s studio, oil paintings, watercolors, graphics, and cartoons.
THE MANY FACETS OF THE ART OF SAMSON LAW 1998: Preface by James Torlakson for book published by the Government of Macau
ART WEEK 1997: Article (and reproduction of painting) by James Torlakson on “Painting Water” relating to publications theme: THE ELEMENTS OF WATER
THE SURFER’S JOURNAL 1993: Volume Two, Number Four, Page 20; reproductions of MAVERICK’S / CLARK, 18” x 56” oil on canvas (big wave surfing image) and photo of artist with canvas
THE ARTIST’S MAGAZINE April 1989: “Deepening the Third Dimension” by James Torlakson with Judith Gordon; pages 50 -55; Article on oil painting and illusionary devices, numerous reproductions of paintings and instructional illustrations
AMERICAN REALISM Twentieth - Century Drawings and Watercolors 1986: Abrams; by Alvin Martin; pages 161, 225; figure 211: watercolor reproduction
MENDELOWITZ’S GUIDE TO DRAWING 1982: Holt, Rinehart and Winston; revised by Duane A. Wakeham; page 13, figure 20: drawing reproduction
CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN REALISM since 1960 1981: New York Graphics Society; by Frank H. Goodyear, Jr.; pages 153, 200, 201; figure 119: watercolor reproduction
ARTnews October 1975: by Peter Frank; Review of solo exhibition with Nancy Hoffman Gallery, New York and watercolor reproduction
Television References
In the Spring of 2005, I was interviewed by KTVU Channel 2 in relation to the issue of SSRI antidepressant suicides and the related artworks I have created.
In the Spring of 2002, I was interviewed in my studio by Sparky Parker, host of Breakers (a program on surfing and surfers). This television interview focused on my relationship to surfing and the sea and its influence on my artwork. This episode, Breakers #17, airs periodically on Pacifica Community Television.
Channel 8 Pacifica, 1998: 15 minute video, ROCKAWAY BEACH - the lighter side of El Niño, filmed and produced by James Torlakson; featuring spectators and surfers playing with huge storm surf
Channel 8 Pacifica, 1994: 1/2 hour program interviewing James Torlakson featuring images relating to the design and development of the 1994 FOG FESTIVAL poster
KQED Channel 9, San Francisco, 1988: short appearance by James Torlakson discussing his art work donated for auction
KQED Channel 9, San Francisco, 1985: short program featuring James Torlakson working in studio, images of art works, and slides revealing development of watercolors and etchings
Channel 8 Pacifica, 1985: 1/2 hour program interviewing James Torlakson and featuring images of his art works and slides revealing the development of art works
ABC Sunday Night National News, 1981: interview with Torlakson relating to his art works reproduced on full scale bill boards as part of promotion for The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Awards & Honors
32 Purchase Awards from competitive exhibitions of prints, drawings, and paintings—including $5,000 award for purchase of a canvas by the San Francisco International Airport
Full size Billboard shown in various Bay Area locations depicting my art work — part of a 1981 promotion for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Poster Commissions (design & illustration)
1984: 38th Annual San Francisco Arts Festival
1994: Pacific Coast Fog Festival, Pacifica CA
Television Programs (about James Torlakson and his art work)
1977: KQED, San Francisco
1986: Channel 8, Pacifica CA
1994: Channel 8, Pacifica CA
2002: PCTI, Pacifica, CA
Grants
Skyline College Trustees Fund, 1994: production of Art Instruction Videos
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, 1998: art exhibition in non-gallery environment