Jim Neal
Raku Instructor
I am a perpetual observer and student. As a Purser for 41 years, I had the chance to work for companies flying worldwide, seeing the world, staying in hotels, walking beaches, touring museums and visiting cities.
As the raku instructor at Art Center West, I enjoy teaching artists this ancient Zen Buddhist pottery firing technique that incorporates all of nature’s elements.
I love whimsy. I have stolen several of my ideas from Graffiti art found on the streets of Central America, South America, and Europe. I like and want the observers of my art to create their own story of what is happening. What are the characters looking at? What are they thinking? What’s going on just out of their vision?
Most importantly, I love to get a smile. My friends always say I’m “crazy.” I take it as a huge compliment. To me art is all about having fun.
“To practice art, no matter how well or badly,is a way to make your soul grow. So just do it.” Kurt Vonnegut.
~ Jim grew up in Barrington IL, a suburb of Chicago. Then attended Dickinson University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education with a major in art. He currently resides in Roswell with his lovely wife of 41 years where he creates his award winning artworks.
