James Hamil, The Old Church, Circa 1970

This artwork “The Old Church” c.1970 is a watercolor on Strathmore panel by American artist James Hamil, 1937-2002. It is signed at the lower right corner by the artist. The artwork size is 16 x 20 inches, framed size is 24.35 x 28.35 inches. Custom framed in a wooden gold frame, with fabric liner and gold bevel. The artwork is in excellent condition, the frame has some minor small dents.

About the artist:

A native of Hastings, Nebraska, James Hamil was a long-time illustrator for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Missouri. He has also done many paintings of Midwestern landscapes, his true love, with quaint farmhouses and small towns. A major achievement was 100 illustrations for a book titled Farmland, USA, authored by his father, Harold Hamil, former editor of the Hastings Tribune and a senior vice president of Farmland Industries.

He is a graduate of the School of Fine Arts at the University of Kansas and has traveled extensively in Europe and Mexico on illustration assignments. In 1973, he opened his own studio and gallery in Kansas City to devoted full time to painting for exhibitions and commissions.
Hamil has painted between 50 and 100 watercolors a year for more than 30 years. His works dominate the walls of galleries and homes, universities and corporations. Even bookshelves. Hamil’s paintings are featured in two books, Return to Kansas, produced by Hamil and his wife, and Farmland USA, which he worked on with his father. Hamil flips to page 33 in Return to Kansas and points to Prairie Sky, one of his favorite paintings. “This one really moves a lot of people,” he says. “I guess it evokes more a feeling of empathy.”
The art of James Hamill is held in numerous collections in the U.S. Europe and Mexico.Continue Reading