Agam at upson market place
James Thomas Grabowski Jr.
Painter and Poet
I spent my 1st through 4th grade growing up in the Tri-State area of southern Ohio, Kentucky & West Virginia.
My family then moved to Crete, Illinois (45 minutes south of Chicago) where I attended Catholic schools from 5th – 12th grade,
graduating from Marian Catholic H.S. in 1981.
I then attended the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and received two degrees,
a Bachelor of Science (’86) in special education for students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities
and a Masters (’93) in vocational & technical education.
I also graduated from UConn (’13) with a graduate degree in school counseling.
I took my only formal Art classes as an undergraduate.
One was an elementary art education course for teachers and the other was a ceramics course.
In August 2019 I started painting as a way to simply express my bottled-up creativity.
I primarily use spray paint, incorporating acrylics and biodegradable matter
such as grass, feathers, seeds and potting soil to create depth and a 3-D look to my Art.
Given my professional life as a special education teacher and trained school counselor,
some of my Art targets social justice and alternative lifestyle themes.
In addition to painting, I am also a Poet that has been writing my own style of Poetry since the age of 16.
Other than a multi-session poetry writing workshop at Wesleyan University, CT…….
My Poetry is organic and reflects my intrinsic perspective on life’s journey.
I currently recite at open mics at the Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center in Middletown,
at Strange Brew in Norwich and at the Custom House Maritime Museum in New London.
I write and paint because it brings me Joy.
If I can also get people to think about the profound depth of our existence
and simultaneously open up their perspective on uncomfortable issues then I have indeed achieved something special.
Acceptance of individual differences and the celebration of diversity in our world is very important to me
as a human being and steward of Mother Earth.
Caring is Everything…….
Peace & Love
