Artist Statement

At the age of eleven when my father passed away, I begin a quest to follow Spirit to understand why Dad died. While working on my MFA degree from Pratt Institute, I attend a slide presentation on rock art images from Altamira and Lascaux caves. The energy and power of these cave art animals touched my soul with impactful importance. I feel an epiphany, a shift inside me altering the trajectory of my life. I immediately purchase a book, Treasures of Prehistoric Art, about these caves. A few years later, I realize Native American cultures and philosophies are the closest direct link for me to cave painters. Fast forward fifty-three years, my image making continues to evolve along this pathway. My images are distinctive, unique in style that is both original and long lasting; you might say “My Brand.” I am an avid hiker and backpacker into remote areas of nature. I even hitchhiked and hiked over 1100 miles from Los Angeles, to San Francisco, to Eugene, and Victoria Island, British Columbia. It was an incredible trip into wild and rugged country, like Mount Rainier, the Three Sisters Mountains, and Botanical Beach, Victoria Island. Nature inspires me, calms me, connects me to our universe. Deer and eagle symbols are placed in different nature scenarios to create metaphors about life. We are each on a personal journey in this life. I create artworks that shine a light into the human condition, touching on subject matters relevant to our times to address those things that create imbalance in our world: environmental issues, climate initiatives, safe drinking water, and clean air to breathe, as well as the adverse effects of fracking.

Gun violence in schools and communities falls on deaf ears in government, a vitriolic political agenda spreads lies, where cheating to win is promoted as alternatives to truth, where morality to do right is absent, continued raping of Mother Earth is condoned. How fast do we run toward our own extinction? Honey bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds ─ the pollinators necessary for healthy crops and agriculture─ are in serious decline from pesticides and destruction of habitats, which may result in a world food shortage. Never has there been such an onslaught to roll back protections for our safety and our national treasures to be exploited. The Hopi word Koyaanisqatsi means a world out of balance, having drifted away from nature. I want my artwork to engage the public to think and reflect on the importance of earth and how we treat each living being. I taught high school art with the philosophy, What is good for kids, Do That.

Artist Biography

Born in Washington, D.C., James Neiswender has lived and worked in Alabama, New York, California, Ohio, Florida, and Texas as a practicing artist utilizing printmaking, photography, drawing, painting, and mixed-media. He earned degrees from Pratt Institute (MFA, Printmaking/Painting), University of Cincinnati (M.A. in Art Education), and the University of Alabama (BFA, Printmaking/Painting). Art collections of IBM and Southern Bell in Cincinnati own his artwork. His art experiences include artist-in-residences for the Ohio Arts Council (17 different school districts in Ohio), mural painting, teaching in community art centers and at the Cincinnati Institute of Art, as well as teaching printmaking and figure drawing out of his studio, plus 31 years teaching art in public education (20 years at Palm Beach County School District, FL; 11 years in Texas at Marcus HS, Flower Mound, LISD), with three students receiving recognition in the National Scholastic Art Awards Competitions. He is also a certified juror and mentor for the Texas Art Education Association’s Visual Arts Scholastic Events (VASE). James is a recipient of the Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation “Teacher-as-Artist Program” in Colorado Springs, Colorado to further develop his artwork. Mr. Neiswender uses symbols of animals (deer, eagles) to create metaphors about life and man’s impact on Mother Earth in his artwork.

In 2020 Mr. Neiswender joined the Denton Poets’ Assembly to see if his earlier writings had any merit. Two winning poems written in 2022 won First Places in the Poetry Society of Texas and the National Federation of State Poetry Societies Annual Poetry Competitions. He wasjust notified he has one or more winning poem(s) in PST 2024. In 2023 he began to periodically collage portions of poems into his artwork.

Horizon supports the visual arts in our community and enhance the spiritual experience in our sanctuary by exhibiting the work of local artists. Horizon receives 20% for each artwork sold. To purchase an artwork, please contact the artist or email horizonart@horizonuu.org.

Exhibition Guidelines

Our space accommodates 15-20 large to medium works of art or more smaller works.

• Two dimensional work only

• Must be ready to hang, with wire, no sawtooth

• Nothing more than 50 lbs

• Any theme or subject matter will be considered

• Any medium

Each exhibition is six or more weeks beginning on a Sunday. The work must be hung during the week prior and picked up promptly during the week following the show. Any work sold, generates a 20% commission to the church.

If you are interested in submitting work for consideration, please email images or furnish a link to a website to HorizonArt@HorizonUU.org