James Yale January 31, 1947 – August 18, 2023

James Yale, a self taught artist, was born in a small rural town of Jasper, Missouri. As a child James began to express an interest and ability in writing, drawing, and painting between the ages of three to six years old with his beloved grandmother Francis Phillips.

“My grandmother had an amazing collection of books with wonderful color plate illustrations of mythology, fantasy, and an illustrated Bible. She was my first teacher. She taught me to paint and draw. All those pictures fascinated me. I started drawing and painting way back then. She was active in the Eastern Star, so I had an introduction to mysticism early in my life.”

Last week I sorted through another box of James’ papers from James’ studio, and found a treasure chest of more clues. This is the Easter Rabbit Book that Jimmy Yale, age 5, created on one of his special days with his grandmother.

– Charlotte Buchanan-Yale

(click to view full images)