“Life Cartography”
Exhibit by James E. Hartzell at Forever Florida. 
Reception 5-9pm on March 8th.
Show runs March 1st - March 31st and is curated by resident artist Wasil.
2629 Central Ave. St. Petersburg, FL 33713.

Life Cartography is a new series of 22 works in watercolor and ink dedicated to the paths we take in life, both literal and figurative, inspired by my personal journey as an artist and highlights of adventures throughout the Southeast. These images grew from doodles, a visual journal of family moments and travel impressions initially called Road Sketches: a graphic retelling mixed with innocence and nostalgia, mindset and setting, nestled in the calm bird-song embrace of nature or imbued with the frenetic energy of an urban escapade.

The locations depicted are less landscapes and more collage, they range from the Gulf-coast of Florida to the misty mountains of Appalachia, windy roads of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, down to the low-country wetlands of coastal South Carolina and Georgia. Partly inspired by the honeymoon road trip Faith and I took last July, staying in a mix of rustic cabins, lofty tree-houses and charming cottages, new drawings flowed forth recounting more about the arc of our journey than any one destination.

Event is free and open to the public.

About the Artist

James Eric Hartzell grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2009 with a BFA in Illustration. James draws from a diverse range of influences ignited by urban and rural experiences to fuel his artistic journey. The artist has an obsession with typography, nature, hand-painted signs and vintage poster art; all of which deeply informs his creative process of visual story-telling.

James immersed himself in the local arts scene since moving to St. Petersburg, FL in 2015, making a career from commercial sign painting and contributing to mural projects that align with his dedication to community transformation and unity.