Watercolorist Jim Mahanes has painted the American landscape with both realism and imaginative interpretation. Coastal lighthouses have become a particular passion in this artist's subject matter since 1991, and to date, he has traveled to and painted over 40 of these coastal sentinels from Nova Scotia to Key West, Florida. Mahanes' watercolors hang in many private and corporate collections, and he is the winner of numerous awards.

Since 1975, watercolorist Jim Mahanes has painted the American landscape with both realism and imaginative interpretation. A self-taught artist, painting has been an avocation alongside a teaching and a clinical practice career.

Jim retired from the University faculty as a full time professor in 1990 to practice clinical counseling and consultation with organizations with the Human Development Co. (a Louisville based employee Assistance program.)

Jim has been an adjunct faculty member for the past 26 yeas and continues to teach, at the Webster University in Louisville.

Art, has become more primary focus in his Jim’s life now. He continues to teach and consult but two years ago he opened an art Gallery and has devoted more time to “teaching art” and paint,

According to Jim, "There is a close parallel between painting and clinical practice…. The perceptual skills demanded of a clinician enhance the creative approach to painting and vice versa."
Mahanes' watercolors hang in many private and corporate collections, and he is the winner of numerous awards. His works have been exhibited in galleries from Louisville to St. Augustine, Florida, and he has been described as " impressionistic, while also exercising considerable control and assurance with his subject." Composition and design play a central role in his subject matter. His work uniquely captures the play of light and shadows on architectural subjects, the inviting serenity of landscapes, and the rhythm of shapes, colors and textures of the images he paints.

Coastal lighthouses have become a particular passion in this artist's subject matter since 1991, and to date, he has traveled to and painted over 40 of these "coastal sentinels" from Nova Scotia to Key West, Florida. To quote the artist, "There seems to be something special about the lighthouse that exceeds its utilitarian purpose. The lighthouse is a symbol of integrity, constancy and reliability when most needed."

According to lighthouse preservationist and director of the Tybee Island Historical Society, Cullen Chambers, "Jim's watercolors are some of the most emotional and inspiring lighthouse perspectives that I have ever enjoyed. They are reminiscent of works by Andrew Wyeth and reflect the diversity and individual character of every lighthouse, and many individuals' reactions and relationships to America's lighthouse legacy."

For the past year Jim has had a special interest in the painting of “Amish” subject matter. After his involvement in an online seminar for the Oates Institute (where he has been a board member and faculty member} the “Power of Forgiveness” prompted the completion of 30 paintings, he entitled “Simple Gifts: A portrait of Amish Forgiveness”
http://www.mahanes-art.com/index.php?option=com_con

This collection has been shown in Louisville, San Antonio Texas, and will be a part of an event in St Louis, for Webster University, The Ethical Society and the Wayne Oates Institute. This event will be held on July 11, and the gallery show will hang at The St Louis Ethical Society for four weeks.