![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d2fa37_84feaf414b5e4c8a871c80c590724b15~mv2_d_3264_2448_s_4_2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_462,w_3264,h_1343/fill/w_700,h_288,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/d2fa37_84feaf414b5e4c8a871c80c590724b15~mv2_d_3264_2448_s_4_2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d2fa37_9000bea498134bcbaba2f5760810c060~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_276,y_68,w_618,h_679/fill/w_262,h_288,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/d2fa37_9000bea498134bcbaba2f5760810c060~mv2.jpg)
by James Surls
James: I was born in East Texas in 1943. I graduated from Sam Houston State Teachers College in 1966 and from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1968. I taught at Southern Methodist University in Dallas from 1969 to 1976. I then moved to Splendora, Texas with the love of my life Charmaine Locke and lived there for over twenty years. There we went through every emotion that a couple having kids, growing together and as individuals can endure. We have lived in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado since 1997 and love it for a fact.
Along the road I made art and curated shows with the ferocity of a man possessed. I’ve shown with many galleries and at many museums.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d2fa37_3a58e9c260784a8b812d3b032232e3c1~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_42,y_0,w_1191,h_868/fill/w_479,h_349,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/d2fa37_3a58e9c260784a8b812d3b032232e3c1~mv2.jpg)
The next proudest thing is all the solo and group exhibitions, as well as being in the collection of many amazing museums throughout the world. In particular I would like to highlight the exhibitions, Visions at the Dallas Museum of Art in 1984- 85: In the Meadows in 2003 at the Meadows Museum in Dallas, Texas; and James Surls – The Splendora Years, 1977 – 1997 which was at the Blaffer Gallery Art Museum at the University of Houston. All of these exhibitions were accompanied by a book. The most recent book showcasing my work is titled “James Surls: From the Heartland” published by The Grace Museum in Abilene, Texas. It is a real beauty.
Today, I have decided to bring it all home. I make art and my agent, Linda Clarke and one of my seven daughters, Eva Surls, take care of the rest.
I think my proudest accomplishment of all is that I still love my wife after so many years and have seven beautiful daughters and seven amazing grandkids.