Artist and illustrator James Fenner conjures colorful and evocative images that transcend their comic-book-style framing and burst into the echelon of powerful art – inspiring and imprinting themselves into the viewer’s memory – the very best sort of artwork that invites a personal reaction to a universal offering. With Japanese influences and a calming sense of colorful mindfulness pervading the work, Fenner seems intent on capturing the moody, dusky moments of life, the space between day and night, when the world glows just a bit differently and colors saturate the universe in ways that feel surreal and somehow more resonant than any other time.
The eyes in many of Fenner’s pieces glow – red and golden and green – sinister and searching, scanning and seering – they haunt and taunt, thrill and chill – and give a glimpse into each character’s soul as much as they act as a protective shield of charm and enchantment. The mark of a brilliant artist is often found in the eyes of their subjects – how they render the objects that will ultimately judge and react to their work is a telling indication of how they themselves view the world – and Fenner’s subjects seem as interested in protecting themselves as they are in seeing new vistas and traversing new paths.
An accomplished illustrator and artist, with an extensive curriculum vitae of work listed out on his charming website here, Fenner is one of those amazing working artists who is keenly interested in sharing his artistic journey, while also giving us a glimpse of his own inspirations. For those reasons, and the majestic power of his artwork, he earns this Dazzler of the Day crowning.
{All artwork by James Fenner.}
