Jim Aylward

Jim Aylward - American (b. 1958)

I am a native of the Boston area and was a long time summer resident of Nantucket for almost 30 years. I now live in Naples, Florida. I am lucky to have always lived in or near vibrant art and artist communities.

My painting style has evolved to abstract expressionism, in a style sometimes inspired by Jasper Johns and Willem de Kooning. I use brush and Palette knives with various media including acrylic, but mix with brush and sponges on occasion. I like to go avant garde as often as possible.

My medium is acrylic and my style abstract expressionism (AbEx) and Surrealism. I present with heavy texturized canvases. I occasionally use heavy paste, gels and other substances as an initial layer before applying the paint. This helps to make the paintings "come alive". I encourage people to touch my paintings to feel the texture.

My paintings range in size from 9" x 12" to 48" x 72" and most are available for sale (many have already been acquired by collectors). I am also available for commissioned work.

I have painted nearly two dozen "Hero Paintings" depicting abstract flags (U.S., Korean, etc.) dedicated to military veterans, freedom fighters and COVID-19 front line heroes. These are ...

I studied at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston under the guidance of instructor Judy Ryan.

I am a graduate of Boston College and Suffolk University, and completed post graduate studies at Harvard University and MIT’s Sloan School of Business.

Various art shows and exhibits in Naples and Estero, FL from 2018-present. CoCo Gallery Pop-Up Exhibition “A Flair For Vibrance”, COCO Gallery, Naples, FL May 1 - 31, 2024, 2 works; Quail West Arts Association (QWAA) Invitation-Only Exhibition, Naples, FL USA, February 23, 2020; Quail West Arts Association (QWAA) Exhibition and Art Show, Naples, FL USA, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2020, 2023, 2024; Nantucket Plein Air Art Festival Exhibition, Nantucket, MA USA, June 16, 2018.