Allure of Alaska felt in July show

WASILLA — Meet Alaskan artist Forrest James at Town Square Art Gallery in Wasilla from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday for a show that features many new original works capturing the beauty of the Alaska landscape and its majestic wildlife.

Forrest has been creating art in the Last Frontier for decades. Born in Anchorage in 1941, James grew up appreciating the great outdoors. His family commercial fished, and James began working on the boats at age 11, fishing Cook Inlet for king and red salmon. The family moved to California in the 1950s, but James continued to fish salmon, halibut, crab and herring during the summers in Alaska.

He was always studying the sea and its life, the magnificent land, animals and skies of Alaska. After high school, the military and majoring in art at Chico State College, the allure of Alaska brought James home to his birthplace.

While working many jobs, he continued to paint part-time, furthering his artistic career and collector base. James has completed more than 500 original oils of Alaska landscapes, seascapes, northern lights and wildlife, including more than 200 of his favorite subject, Denali.

Refreshments will be served at the reception Saturday. The show hangs through July at Town Square Art Gallery in the Carrs Wasilla Mall. For more information call 376-0123.