James Michalopoulos (born James Mitchell in 1951) is an American artist - publisher at Catty Wompus Press - restaurateur - Rum Distiller (Old New Orleans Rum).
Ancestors Americanized family name Michalopoulos to Mitchell. Artist starting signing works Michalopoulos in mid 1990s. Best known for creating New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival posters for the years 1998 (Dr. John), 2001 (Louis Armstrong), 2003 (Mahalia Jackson), and 2006 (Fats Domino). Also known for oil paintings depicting scenes where houses lean in shadows of moonlight. Published coffee table books of pictures painted in 1997, and a second book in 2005 (hardcover 11×17, Catty Wompus Press). Co-owner of restaurant Étoile in Covington, Louisiana. Owns distillery Old New Orleans Rum.
James Mitchell studied art at the University of New Orleans, New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, and Bowdoin College. He graduated from Bowdoin with a Bachelor of Arts in 1974.
Best known for his manipulation of historic architecture, he has created a reputation based on his unique portrayal of the personality and style of homes using exaggerated viewpoints, from photos taken very close to the subject matter. His work can be described as expressionistic, gestural, energetic and colorful.
Michalopolous utilizes great impastos of paint to further the sense of drama in his works, and to maximize color saturation. His palette knife may be wiped clean between carefully mixed colors, whereas a brush must be cleaned with thinner and soap, or swished quickly in turpentine, leaving residue of other colors to mix with fresh ones. This palette knife technique allows him to work quickly with oil paint, laying pure colors on top of or adjacent to others without drying time in between.
James Michalopoulos lives alternately in New Orleans, New England, Los Angeles and France.
In addition to architectural portraits, Michalopoulos's subjects include landscapes, automobiles and figures.
In his capacity as Art Director for House of Blues Productions James Michalopoulos has designed stage sets for the House of Blues in both New Orleans and Los Angeles. He is a greatly talented man.
he is a very talented man.
Reviews: James Michalopoulos: Paintings. By D. Eric Bookhardt of New Orleans Gambit magazine 12/06/2005 http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/2005-12-06/art_rec.php
Artist website: http://www.Michalopoulos.com
Old New Orleans Rum: http://www.neworleansrum.com/home.shtml