About
James studied Fine Art (Painting) at Camberwell School of Art in London, graduating in 1988. Tutors and visiting artists included Ian McKeever RA, John Hilliard, Anish Kapoor RA, Eileen Cooper RA, Dr Jonathan Miller and Bruce Maclean.
He worked for a 'Big Four' Management Consultancy, freelanced at major London design agencies and contracted at the London International Financial Futures & Options Exchange (LIFFE) and helped create one of the UK’s first web design companies.
He set up James Atkins Studio in 1996 to create and develop brands, visual identities, design for print and websites for organisations in the UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, Brazil, USA and Canada.
Throughout this time he continued to paint and make artworks but rarely exhibited his work. In the last few years Fine Art has once more become his focus, with a particular interest in those boundaries of traditional painting, drawing and digital art.
James has work in private collections in Australia, France, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, Canada, USA, Singapore and the UK. He is currently based in Ariege, South West France and in Northamptonshire in the UK.
Work is regularly published as giclée editions. Individual prints can be made to order.
Exhibitions
2026
'Abstract' Group Show, Fronteer Gallery, Sheffield, UK.
Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, Birmingham, UK / RBSA Print Prize 2026. 'Highly Commended' for 'Aude Landscape'.
Rugby Museum and Art Gallery, Rugby, UK / Open 2026.
Leicester Museums and Galleries, Leicester, UK / Open 2026.
2025
Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, Northampton, UK / Northampton Town and County Art Society – 108th Annual Exhibition.
Customs House, Leith, UK / EXPOS3D / Curated by Trevor Jones (Digital screen).
2023
Northampton School for Boys / Alumni Exhibition / Cripps Hall, Northampton, UK / Group show.
2022
House of Abstract / Online / Group show.
Southern California Instate of Architecture, Los Angeles, USA / Fylthy Trash Art Exhibition LA / Group Show.
Lobby3 / Washington, USA / Online / Group show.
2021
Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, Northampton, UK / Selling Gallery / Various works.
2019
Numéro Vingt, Mirepoix 09500, France / Solo show ‘Mirepoix Les Façades’.
2018
Le Stop, Sainte Colombe sur l'Hers, 11230, France / Solo show / ‘James Atkins New Prints’.
2017
Galerie l’Impénitente 09500 Mirepoix 09500, France / Solo show ‘Un voyage numérique’.
Letchworth Studio & Gallery / Solo show, 7 Works shown alongside an exhibition of designer / printmaker Gordon House.
Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, Los Angeles, USA / Open Exhibition 'Snap to Grid’.