James Norman Art

James Norman studied at the Art Students League in New York with Theodoros Stamos and was involved in the cooperative Westerly Gallery from 1962–66, founded by a group of Stamos's students (including Robert Barry and Sydney Ball). Norman also exhibited at Reese Palley Gallery (one of the earliest SoHo galleries). Norman, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky, has lived in Tennessee, Virginia, Indiana and Long Island, New York. By 1964, he was a resident of New York City. Educated mainly in the South, Norman was an architectural assistant for two years while studying mechanical design and architecture. After serving two years in the US Navy, he studied commercial art which brought him into contact with the fine arts. Norman developed a serious interest in painting which he preferred to study and work independently. While living on Long Island, in 1961, Norman participated in an exhibition at the Hecksher Museum in Huntington. He received the Purchase Prize and an opportunity to exhibit, in a six-man-show, a selection of his work.