James Kingneon Gucwa

Fine artist James 'Kingneon' Guçwa was born with a paintbrush in his hand. There was never any doubt that, one way or another, he would become a professional fine art painter. This was his dream. James is often referred to as 'Kingneon' because of the hundreds of canvases he has painted of the American roadside, mostly using the subject of vintage neon signs.

"My professional art career as a fine art painter gained traction when I found my personal style. I've painted and sold hundreds of paintings from my 'American Roadside' series, and I'm still at it. These include photo-real paintings of vintage neon motel signs, diners and bars, casinos, gas stations, and weathered billboards. Many of my images I've found combing the Southwestern states of America. I like it when the desert's blazing sun casts long defined shadows from the neon tubes across the face of the sign. I like it at dusk when the neon lights are just turned on and the sky has not fully darkened. I like when the layers of paint on the sign are peeling, fading and its metal is rusting. I like when even the neon glass tubes barely have the strength to hold on. Character is what I'm after." --James ‘Kingneon’ Guçwa

Over the years, there have been numerous feature st...

After obtaining a BFA in painting from the Memphis Academy of Arts, he began additional study as a private student at the Dan Welden Lithographic Studio in Long Island, N.Y. and then as a painting apprentice in the art studio of the late contemporary painter, Gregory Gillespie, in Belchertown, Massachusetts.

The French post-impressionist, Paul Gauguin, moved to Tahiti to live and paint its people and tropical landscape. Admiring this artist's choice, Guçwa left for the island of Jamaica to do the same.

James perfected his signature style through decades of painstakingly rendering dozens of photoreal paintings in the studio. He spent his early years honing his portraiture and caricature chops by drawing on the spot, in person portraits of customers during art exhibitions.

Solo Exhibitions

2021 Northland Pioneer College / Arizona - Show Low, United States

2009 Northland Pioneer College / Arizona - Show Low, United States

2000 Bruce R. Lewin Gallery / New York - New York City, United States

1998 Bruce R. Lewin Gallery / New York - New York City, United States

1997 Leslie Levy Fine Art / Arizona - Scottsdale, United States

1996 Moderism / California - San Francisco, United States

1993 Moderism / California - San Francisco, United States

1990 Leslie Levy Fine Art / Arizona - Scottsdale, United States

1988 Leslie Levy Fine Art / Arizona - Scottsdale, United States

Group Exhibitions

1995 Uptown Gallery / New York - New York City, United States

1991 Horwich/Newman Gallery / Arizona - Scottsdale, United States

1990 Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art / The Eiteljorg Museum - Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

1990 L.A. County Museum / California - Los Angeles, United States