James Carlisle was born in Freemantle, Australia, and at the age of 21 he managed to catch a ride on a steamboat to London. After a short period in Scotland, Carlisle moved to Blythe in the North East of England. Many speculate that he would have become one of the major coal pit painters if he had stayed in the area. However, James set his sights on a more avant-garde lifestyle and he moved to London where he resided at the very prestigious Gordon Square in the heart of Bloomsbury. During the 70s and 80s, while working at St Thomas Hospital, he accumulated a large collection of art reference books which he used to devour artists' styles and techniques which is evident in this collection of his paintings.
He studied and executed everything from impressionism, abstraction, cubism and realism. During his career, his work was regularly exhibited at the prestigious Mall Galleries at St James, London, and the New English Art Club.
