In 1951, James Francis was born on the small island of St. Thomas. James started painting in the 4th grade although he never received any formal art training. He traveled as a a musician for most of his life and returned home to St. Thomas 18 years ago. He is also a writer and is currently working on a book highlighting the lifestyle of the Taino people living in St. Thomas incorporating his knowledge of the island's typography.

James will sometimes insert items into scenes based on his memory of the times he spent in a particular place. The Virgin Islands has changed a lot since James returned and he will tell you he's still experiencing culture shock.

As the Virgin Islands landscaping is constantly changing and the town continues to "progress", James' paintings of historic locations, people or landscape are increasingly more important and culturally valuable to a territory trying to regain and hold on to its cultural traditions while welcoming the world to its shores.

At the end of his life, he has decided to focus on his art, both visual and musical. Although he may have lost some of the energy he has before Hurricanes IrMaria and the pandemic, James' talent remains undeniable with an artisitic accuracy and brightness to his pieces.