Wesley James

"1997"

on view 7/25/25-8/31/25

Portland artist and illustrator Wesley James (he/him) unleashes his bold, unruly world inside the Purple Door Gallery starting Friday, June 25. Raised in small-town Alaska and steeped in 70s nostalgia and outsider traditions, Wesley takes an unapologetic dive into the wild subconscious — where imaginary monsters and offbeat pop culture relics collide. And you’re invited to take the plunge too.

From acrylic on canvas to crayon on cardboard, his street-punk aesthetic brims with hyper detail, neon colors, and a sense of reckless fun that sparks the imagination and stays true to itself in every way. Each piece is raw, honest, and intuitive — a direct line from mind to material — with every little detail daring you to look closer and linger longer.

Shipping and payment plans available. Email thepurpledoorpdx@gmail.com for assistance.

Wesley James

"1997" on view from July 25- Aug 31

Wesley James (he/him) is a Portland-based artist and illustrator working across media and creative industries. Hailing from small town Alaska, with aesthetic roots in 70s nostalgia and outsider traditions, James’ bold, vibrant compositions speak to the subconscious, feeding curiosity in maker and viewer alike. Wildly energetic in both appearance and attitude, the decisive quality of his work is automatic; unwaveringly honest in content and form. From acrylic on canvas to crayon on cardboard, a commitment to intuition, experimentation, and just plain fun takes the lead in the studio of Wesley James.

Wesley James’ portfolio includes poster and creative design for recording artists including Weird Al Yankovic and Portugal, the Man, and product and retail design for Hasbro’s Magic the Gathering, and graphic and retail design for Liquid Death.

View Wesley's Website HERE

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