James Q. Kucheman (b.

1952)

It is a challenge to capture the natural light, colors, and shapes I enjoy while experiencing landscapes and cityscapes. I paint in
acrylics because I like the immediacy it gives me, and I most often work from photographs. In the mid-1980’s, I frequently walked the
meadow paths of Gilsland Farm in Falmouth, while taking a break from Portland, where I lived and worked as a letter carrier.
For me, the Gilsland scenes represent the essence of Maine’s beautiful rural landscapes. I have also frequently visited Vinalhaven,
where the Tidal Basin, Fox Island Thoroughfare, Lane’s Island Nature Conservancy, Hurricane Sound and the working waterfront
settings have captured my interest. In April of 2014, I retired from the US Post Office, and I now have the time to return to painting
with new perspective and energy. It is rewarding when the balance of effort, technique and creative editing come together to
capture a sense of place. My technical approach is evolving as I regain confidence to meet the challenges of painting. I feel renewed
enthusiasm for creating art that might speak to others as it does to me.

Biography
Jim was born at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington DC, and lived in Virginia, Florida, California, and Ohio as his father pursued a
career in the US Air Force. He currently resides in Gorham, Maine with his wife and his son.

Education: M.F.A. in Painting and Drawing, June 1979, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
B.A. in Art with K-12 Teaching Certification, June 1977 Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, VA

Teaching Experience: Art Instructor, University of Southern Maine, Gorham, Maine, 1982.
Art Instructor, University of Maine at Fort Kent, Fort Kent, Maine, 1980-1982.

Exhibitions, Commissions and Awards

Maine Department of Transportation Commission, 1985 Four Paintings for the Transportation Building Cafeteria, with approval of
the Maine State Commission of the Arts and Humanities.

Maine Coast Artists Gallery Invitational Painting and Sculpture Show,

Maine Coast Artists Gallery, Rockport Maine. 1983.

Forum A Exhibition, One Man Show, University of Maine at Augusta, Augusta, Maine. 1983.

25th Chautauqua National Exhibition of American Art

Chautauqua, New York. 1982 PURCHASE AWARD

Butler Institute of American Art, Midyear Show, Youngstown, Ohio; 1982, 1981, 1980

The Society of the Four Arts, 43rd Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Paintings,
Palm Beach, F1orida.1981

Maine Coast Artists Gallery Open Exhibition, Maine Coast Artists Gallery, Rockport, Maine. 1982,1980.

Purchase Award, 7th Annual Virginia Student Painting Contest, Virginia Tech,
Blacksburg, Virginia. 1977.