Originally from Glasgow, Jim Wylie moved to Ayrshire in 1976, to teach at Kilmarnock Academy, and now resides in the town of Stewarton. He left teaching in 2001 to concentrate on painting. His work covers a wide range of subjects, and uses a variety of media, including oil, watercolour and pastel.
There are other artists in the family. Jim's daughter, Jenny, graduated in fine art from Cumbria College of Art in 2000, and is now doing teacher training at Jordanhill College in Glasgow. Jim's stepdaughter, Rachel, studied at Edinburgh College of Art and graduated in 2001 in fine art. She is now studying multi-media at Napier University in Edinburgh.
"I have struggled for many years to come to grips with colour. This has led to an increased use of strong colour, and experimentation in the use of texture and of mixed media. Form and structure, however, is an always present ghost - something which I frequently try to deny, but can never completely escape from".
A recurring theme in his work is that of the contrast between the mystery of power, and the intrinsic beauty of nature - power in the fascination with ugliness, decay, aggression, and the beauty of strength - nature in its delicacy, its ability to regenerate, and the unrivalled attraction of its colours and textures. Even in his skyscapes, landscapes and seascapes there remains this search for beauty in the untidy side of nature.
Site revised 23/12/01