Jim Shea

Artist Statement

Simplicity is a guiding principle in many aspects of my life. However, creating something truly simple, like living a simple life, is surprisingly difficult. Simplicity isn't about being plain or minimal; rather, it carries depth, strength, confidence, and a quiet presence that draws you in. Achieving this is a constant challenge, but one I believe is worth pursuing.

I’m deeply inspired by the Shaker philosophy of craftsmanship. The Shakers were not Luddites avoiding technology. They invented the washing machine, the table saw, and the flat broom.

Like the Shakers, I use whatever gets me the right result, be it a 75-million-year-old rock filled with shell fossils or a 3D printer to create patterns to apply to my work.

While I take inspiration from many sources, the strongest influence comes from my childhood and adolescence in rural northeastern Pennsylvania. The textures and colors of the landscape shape my palette, while the roughness of rocks and the patterns of trees repeatedly surface in my work. These elements form the foundation upon which I am constantly building.