My name is James Lyons. I've been an artist for my entire life. I grew up in St. Louis, MO, in the United States of America. I've had a typical family life--with father, mother, two brothers (I'm the eldest of the three), dog, cats, fish, and even a parakeet. I played baseball and soccer, read books and wrote poetry, even earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts.

When I was young I loved to draw. I drew everything. (I won the parakeet in a competition when I was ten.) And still, perhaps, it might be what I'm best at, and what I love most. My parents did a wonderful job of fostering my talents. I took art in high school, and in college.

I am a graduate of De Smet Jesuit High in St. Louis, class of 1994. I graduated college with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art, from St. Mary's University of Winona, MN, in 1999. I also graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. It is impossible to say which subject is my first love. After graduating I survived as a freelance artist for a time, until being called upon by some people I'd met years earler to help them with a startup company--Designpunks Omnimedia Group, Inc. It had a funny name, for sure, but our goals were quite serious. I worked as Chief Creative Director for a time there, until, under pressure from the dot-com collapse, our company went under. Once again I survived as a freelance artist (and sometimes writer), and so I have, to this very day.

I recently moved to Chicago, and am looking to expand my horizons here. It is a wonderful city, rich in anything anyone could ever desire. I'm looking forward to a great life and a wonderful career here.

October, 2004