THE HISTORY OF DANIAL JAMES–
Danial James is no stranger to the Motorcycle world or the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. When you see someone wearing a Vintage Harley- Davidson T-Shirt, odds are Danial James created and air-brushed the art. He designed t-shirt art for the Harley-Davidson factory for 17 years.
“It’s cool to walk the streets during Rally and see thousands of people wearing artwork I created. Whether it was Harley-Davidson, Indian or Triumph. I can spot them right away,” Danial said in Bandit’s 5-Ball Emporium on Main in Sturgis. “No matter how many times I see them, I always find it to be humbling when someone likes your artwork enough to wear it.”
Danial started his lifelong artistic career before he even knew what the fuck. From a very young age he was drawn to being an artist. As a child he drew for hours every day. Art helped Danial overcome hard times, one being the untimely death of his Mother, when he was just 5 years old. He said he didn’t know how else to cope with what happened, so he buried himself in drawing. He never considered it work because he loved every painting. “I love seeing the emotion on a client’s face,” Danial said. “It justifies my lifelong passion. I can’t imagine doing anything, I’ll be painting until I take my last breath.”
Danial’s application of his background in Technical Illustration helped him become the Fine Artist that he is today. “When I am at an art show and people stop, they always compliment me on my detail, skin tones and knowledge of light. If you don’t know light you will never get the painting, it’s perspective and tones. In the last couple years I’ve found myself incorporating a looser feel to my paintings, known as abstract impressionism. It’s a new feel for me and I really enjoy painting it.” It doesn’t matter what Danial paints, it’s imperative to him to capture the emotional essence of the moment. Folks are drawn closer and want to study thoroughly each piece. “That’s when you know you are doing is right,” Danial said. “I know all the years of hard work and persistence has paid off.”
Danial’s love and ability to paint an array of subjects, earned him a diverse clientele with a unending variety of subjects. From antique motorcycles, to Pin Up Girls, to hot rods, to Family and pet portraits the list goes on and on. “No matter what he’s painting his heart and soul goes into each and every canvas,” said Bandit.
When asked where people can see his Artwork on display, Danial said recently, “I was given a huge honor by Keith “Bandit” Ball when he asked me to be the exclusive artist on display at his historic Bandit’s 5-Ball Emporium, located at 1008 Main Street, Sturgis, South Dakota.”
“Here’s a tough one to describe,” Bandit said. “Art is a living functioning chunk of canvas with various hues of paint splashed onto the coarse surface. But there’s so much more to every brush stroke, every hint of light, every sparkle in the eyes or the turn of a smile into a sexy grin. A great artist is capable of enhancing the beauty of anything, capturing photographic reality, heightening the emotion, boosting the action and or enriching the final message portrayed in paint. Like a writer trying to find the perfect description of a love scene, the artist has additional capabilities in every brush stroke, color or texture. Imagine having this level of control over the outcome.”
“Danial’s talents and passion afford this dynamic ability and his drive for perfection is non-stop. He doesn’t hesitate to return to his canvas over and over in search of the perfect illustration.”
“At Bandits, you will not only find a large selection of my artwork,” said Danial. “But there’s more, like a Custom Built 1948 UL by Bandit on display, antiques, books written by the tall bastard and some strange metal art.”
“I swear I didn’t pay him to promote me or the Emporium,” Bandit coughed up.
“Everyone who comes into Bandit’s is impressed and jazzed,” Danial continued. “They all say this is what Sturgis needed. We had an awesome Rally in 2024, and I’m predicting the 85th in 2025 is going to be amazing.”
“It’s my turn,” Bandit pipped in. “I’m involved with the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Danial jumped in to help big time. He created all the amazing art, graphics and even the logo for our first fundraising endeavor. Check the art at the top of the page. The original will be the first prize.”
“Anyone interested in seeing my artwork can go to my website at Danialjamesfineart.com or if you’re in the area stop by Bandit’s 5-Ball Emporium.” Or head over to the Museum, www.Sturgis Museum website and buy a batch of raffle tickets. The Museum is offering over $125,000 in art and wild prizes.
–The Redhead
