James Bolte

About Me

Hi, I am James Bolte. I’m a self-taught pyrography artist, living in Dittmer, Missouri with my wife, April. We have six children, and three grandchildren. I grew up in House Springs, MO. along with my parents and six sisters. I attended Our Lady Queen of Peace grade school, Northwest High school, and Jefferson College.

Why do I create Art?

I enjoy the challenge of trying to portray a subject in such a way that transforms the viewer into a story that I am sharing with them.

Why my Art?

As an artist, I use a unique media: Pyrography on Paper! Pyrography or wood burning, uses heat and burn marks to create art. It is very time consuming and much less forgiving than most medias. I also use a unique style, often referred to as detail and realism. I do my best to pay close attention to detail to capture a level of realism in sepia -like tones.

People of influence

My family and friends have always provided me with a strong supportive base, along with a couple of wonderful art teachers.

Other Influences

Birds drew my attention….so I started drawing birds! My parents helped me to create a “bird sanctuary” outside my bedroom window. Not satisfied with simply watching birds from the feeders, I would open my window and place bird seed on my art desk. It didn’t take long and birds were landing there, allowing me to study and draw them just inches away. They now had my complete attention. I didn’t just “see” a bird in front of me. I could now see the stiff tail feathers, with the shafts splitting each feather to equal parts. The wings, too, contained rigid feathers, but the shafts were off-centered. I could now see the softer contour feathers covering its body. Even the softest down feathers were occasionally seen as the bird preened or fluffed up a bit. I also quickly noticed personality and expression in individual birds. By taking the time to look at the intricate details, aspects of my life were changed. This is what I strive to achieve in my art.

What do I expect to accomplish with my Art?

My goal as an artist, is to create a captivating story that encourages others to gain a new perspective about the world around them. To slow down, and simply pay closer attention to the small details that make life exciting and fun, yet so often overlooked.