About
"The Whole World's a Sketchbook, We're Just Living In It"
Cody James is a contemporary artist based in New York, recognized for his two distinctive styles. The first involves the simple layering of geometric shapes lightly applied with spray paint, creating an abstract effect resembling different colored glass. The second features chaotic lines made with a ballpoint pen, which form various subjects.
Cody has always been experimenting throughout his career. Combining, subtracting, and mixing different mediums is part of his creative process. Through years of this work ethic, the result is a stripped-back yet more refined application of his techniques. Utilizing the two different techniques mentioned above gives Cody a solid foundation to visualize a unique style while also leaving plenty of space for experimentation.
Cody uses his talents in many different facets of the art world, including galleries, DIY shows, murals, graffiti/street art, fairs/comics, commercial work, and e-commerce. He has always embraced a do-it-yourself approach to his art career.
The more Cody delves into his artistic journey, the more he relies on it. As he gets older and the chaos of the world intensifies, art has become a safe haven and sanctuary to escape life’s uncertainties. Through this outlet, his work sometimes reflects the craziness that society experiences on a day-to-day basis.
The future:
Cody hopes to focus more on the street art aspect of his career. 'Street art has definitely become commercialized over the past decade and a half, but the rawness and pure artistic expression can still be carved out of the movement.'
"Using the streets as a sketchbook to express ideas and concepts. 'Sketchbooks hold the artist's most raw and real ideas. It's the genesis of those ideas, first visualized in the mind, and then brought into reality.' Mixing this concept with the randomness and craziness of society creates 'short stories' on the streets. Most interactions in the city are always in the middle—whether it's a cop issuing a ticket, a fight breaking out, a live performance, etc. We never see the beginning or the end of these moments."
No matter if you're an art enthusiast or just someone who enjoys witnessing the beauty of everyday life, Cody's art is guaranteed to captivate and inspire.