JAMES ROYBAL

25 Lone Pine Spur - 505-466-0590

Santa Fe, NM 87505

www.jamesroybal.com

A master’s knowledge of the craft of casting metal distinguishes James Roybal as a true artist and craftsman of fine art. Born August 23, 1952, Roybal states, “I was lucky enough to be born and raised in Santa Fe and still live in one of the country’s Mecca’s of Fine Art.”     Roybal got his first taste of casting bronze at age 12 from public school teacher Earnest Badyinski. James was lucky enough to have him also in high school and worked with him in his studio casting bronze during summer vacations.     His first jurried show, while still in high school, was the 1971 New Mexico Arts and Crafts Fair, again participating in 1973. James attended Highlands University and finished his formal education at New Mexico State University.

 James plein air painting in Chimayo N.M.

    After college, James furthered his foundry education working and managing in fine art foundries,for 6 years. He cast and finished his own bronze, from start to finish . To this day, James does 95% of the bronze process himself. " They are part of me."   In 1983,  he became a full time artist.

    In 1975; James was in the New Mexico State Fair Professional Fine Arts Competition, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1978. That year he won 1st place, Purchase Prize Award ("Outnumbered"). In 1981 he won 4th place ("Lorraine"). He won best of Show (People's Choice) in 1986 ("Eye to Eye"). In 1986 placed and won Purchase Award ("Day Dreams"). In 1988 he won Best of Show and placed ("Winter Shadow"). In 1992 He won Honorable Mention Award ("Reflections"). Roybal participated in and was a juror for the first Santa Fe Festival of the Arts, 1979. Participating again in 1980. James has been invited to participate in a number of shows, including the Southern New Mexico Fair Art Exhibition, 1984; the first annual New Mexico Art Gala, Santa Fe, 1985; the Vista Invitational Exhibition, Stables Art Center, Taos, NM, 1986; Art Of and On Paper Invitational Show, Stables Art Center in Taos, NM, 1986; the Spring Arts and Crafts Expo, Albuquerque, NM, 1986; the Governor's Gallery, New Mexico State Capital, 1987; the Albuquerque New Mexico Museum, Annual Miniatures Show, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994. He was asked to judge the Santa Fe Contemporary Spanish Market in 1999. James was asked to demonstrate and speak to the New Mexico Pastel Society in Albuquerque, 2000, 2009, 2010. He recently won at the Contemporary Hispanic Market in Santa Fe, 2008, 2009 best in show in the pastel category in 2010 He had 2 pastels in the International Association of Pastel Societies, 2010 show.

    James's work appears in the book "Contemporary Western Artist." He is listed in Who’s Who in American Art. Roybal's work is in collections throughout the United States, in England, Australia, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Caribbean, New Zealand, Norway and Japan. Roybal has had numerous shows in galleries in Albuquerque, Aspen, Beaver Creek, Colorado Springs, Dallas, Denver, Durango, Fort Worth, Houston, Jackson Hole, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, Santa Fe, Sarasota, Scottsdale, Sedona, Taos, Vail; and James has professionally exhibited in Santa Fe, New Mexico continuously since 1976; in Taos New Mexico since 1983; Scottsdale for 17 years and Jackson for 10.

    Roybal is exploring new horizons. Excelling in both painting and sculpting in college, for more than 25 years, James has concentrated on sculpting in bronze and marble. His painting and drawing was for his own pleasure until studying with renowned pastel and oil painter Albert Handel in 1995. Since then James has devoted more time and energy to his painting and says, "I felt at ease the first time I tried pastel; it was like coming home." Now James is looking forward to painting and sculpting.

    "I am always looking for new challenges, in bronze and painting. I am not looking for a particular recognizable style. A particular style can be limiting. More important, I hope to grow with subtle maturity. There is always another level to obtain, new understanding of structure, form, the use of color, lost and found edges, light and shadow. Each painting or sculpture brings new challenges and new ways of seeing. Working in bronze and painting has opened new horizons for me."