James Nichols lives and works as an artist. As a young man with roots in Oklahoma and Michigan, and after completing a university fine art education in painting and drawing (summa cum laude), and being minimally trained in the arts of Love and Jeet Kune Do, he journeyed across the United States and on to India. There the artist spent time and found peace at the feet of his spiritual teacher and Guru, Baba Muktananda, who imparted this instruction regarding the creation of art:
“Paint as you meditate, with Beauty and Truth, work to uplift yourself and others. Always do your best and create from your own Self, from the Heart.”
Muktananda also said to him, "you should sculpt", and gave him the name 'Satyavan' which means 'truthful.' Satyavan Jim returned to America and adopted the craft of illustration in order to support and raise a family of three wonderful children, working full time as a self employed artist for over 30 years. All the while he has maintained his own studio practice in painting and sculpture, focusing on artistic explorations around the subject of Consciousness, aka The Subject.
Currently, James is working on a global exhibit entitled Cornfield - An Artstory, a multimedia environment expressed in painting, sculpture, cinema, and the written word. At the same time he continues to expand the offerings in the 'Great Beings' collection of bronze sculpture. Those efforts form the whole of Masa Rasa Studios, where Thou Art That sums up the essence of love and life – with an emphasis on Art, and a tip of the hat to Thou and That.
Stroll to the Lake 48"H x 60"W Oil on linen
Concept rendering of the Cornfield space (76' diameter) with murals, lighting, cinema, and sculpture.
Artwork and design © James Nichols 1976-2023 All rights reserved