James E. Shields, (aka Jeshields) was born in the late 70s and began drawing when he was little… just like many other artists.
Early on, he took an interest in fantasy, sci-fi, comics, and roleplaying games due to his father's influence.
Now, he illustrates for the RPG and gaming industry.
Out of a desire to help independent game developers to afford high quality illustrations.
From website:
This is where I get to tell you just enough about me without telling you really who I am. I get to talk in generalities to give you a vague sense of me. I hope to include enough specifics to set me apart from all the other people you think you know.
I was born in the late 70s in a city that sounds like it belongs in cartoon show. I spent the vast majority of my youth living in a city that would make me sound Amish. (Nothing against the Amish — mad respect for their convictions… though it’s very unlikely that the Amish are reading this.) I began drawing when I was little… just like all the other artists.
Early on, I took an interest in fantasy, sci-fi, and comic books. (Thanks, Dad.) I also took a liking to roleplaying games, both online and tabletop. (Again, thanks, Dad.) Eventually I would attend and graduate art school.
Fast forward a decade or so, and now I am a full time freelance artist.
Now, I get to be brutally honest. What I am about to say is almost taboo in the artistic industry.
Art is not the number one thing in my life.
While it is very important, it is only a facet of me. Rather, what matters to me most are those things which further define me… I am a husband and a father of four wonderful individuals who regularly make me question my sanity. I am a veteran, having deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan with the United States Marine Corps. I am a man of reason and logic. I am a man of deep conviction. I highly value honesty, integrity and faith. I am a follower of Christ.
