James was born in Kitchener and grew up in Ajax, Ontario. After graduating from high school he found himself with no ambition in his life and no insight into where it would take him. He moved to Vancouver Island where a slow and steady process of awakening took place. This is when James discovered painting. Within two years he was studying art full-time at the Victoria College of Art and painting became a way of life. James graduated in 2002 and moved back to Ontario where he has become a prominent artist in Waterloo Region, continuously exhibiting thought-provoking works of the highest standard.