Jim Markle retired in 1994 from a long and distinguished career as an
executive in the advertising and publishing business to devote full-time
to painting.
He travels and paints
in plein air throughout the U.S. and Europe. Frequently is asked to
lecture, teach throughout the United States, Canada, France and Italy.
He’s the inventor of the Jim Markle Pastel Easelbox for location
painting. Pastel manufacturer Great American Art Works markets a Jim
Markle North American Landscape set of pastels for the professional
throughout the country.
In 1999 he was elected
a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America. In 2004 he was
elected a Master Member of the Great Lakes Plein Air Painters
Association. Is one of a group of artists known as ”The West Michigan Eight”.
He is a past President of the Great Lakes Pastel Society and Grand Valley Artists, Inc.
Is the designer of the “Tree of Dates” Plaza in Ah-Nab-Awen Park
located next to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in downtown Grand
Rapids, MI.
Great American Art Works began production of its pastels in 1995. The owner of the business is a chemist, and his initial research into pastel production focused on the materials and methods of the older, established companies. He created a beautifully soft, square shaped pastel that has become world renowned for quality. This set was selected by Urania Tarbet, a pastelist well known for her floral paintings.