Virtual Art Tour

Janice James, American

The Raymond James Financial Center

Born in Montgomery, Ala., St. Petersburg watercolorist Janice James studied at the Ringling Art School in Sarasota and the University of Miami on an art scholarship, after which she became a commercial artist, designing layouts and illustrating fashions for newspaper advertising. Ms. James, who is unrelated to the James family of Raymond James, has also studied with noted Florida artists: William Wensley; the late Charles Miller, who has six pieces of his art in the Raymond James collection; and nationally known artist, Frank Webb. Ms. James is a signature member of the Florida Watercolor Society and a member of the Arts Center, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Historical Society, all in St. Petersburg.

In 1987, Ms. James was commissioned to paint that year’s Festival of States Poster, depicting the many activities and parades that take place during the local two-week event. Her transparent watercolor paintings, done in a traditional style, have won recognition, including best of show and first place awards at competitions in Miami, St. Petersburg and Sarasota. Her works are shown at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts, Stetson University, the Don CeSar Art Gallery. They also hang in many private and corporate collections throughout Florida. Ms. James specializes in Florida architecture, from small quaint houses to historic landmarks, landscapes and seascapes. In 1993, she was commissioned by Tom James to paint “Raymond James Financial Center.”