Artist Biography

 

Jim Kearns is a contemporary wood artist based in Lyons, Colorado, known for creating unique intricate wall pieces that utilize salvaged lumber. His work is recognizable for its focus on the end grain and composition, a technique that highlights the natural history and organic patterns within the wood itself. Kearns transforms old pieces of lumber into mosaic-like surfaces, with many designs incorporating repeating geometric and psychedelic motifs, faces of entities, and distinct eyes.

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Kearns developed his specialized process through independent experimentation. He works predominantly with reclaimed wood, where he cuts strips and reassembles them to shift the grain direction. This technique not only creates unique patterns but also intentionally incorporates natural imperfections like knots and color variations, allowing the raw beauty of the wood to dictate the final effect. 

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Kearns’ inspiration is drawn from a mixture of sources: the inherent patterns found in nature, the non-dual philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, and the improvisational freedom of psychedelic rock music. His work has been featured in the Colorado region through solo exhibitions at MainStage and The Wayback in Lyons, and he is slated for a dual show at the Lyons Regional Library, presented by the Lyons Arts and Humanities District. Kearns’ unique wood wall art is currently held in private collections across the United States.

 

 

 

Artist Statement

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I am a Lyons, Colorado–based artist who creates functionless abstract, geometric wood artworks using end-grain growth rings from salvaged lumber. My pieces reveal entities, eyes, and psychedelic patterns through the natural tones, textures, and symmetries found within weathered wood. By aligning grain patterns so that growth rings flow fluidly across vertical and horizontal planes, I allow organic forms to emerge naturally from the material itself.

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Influenced by non-dual philosophy and Vedic teachings, I explore the interplay between perception, consciousness, and the repeating patterns of nature. My process mirrors the unfolding of awareness—discovering new forms within what already exists, and uncovering the hidden within the familiar.

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In a world driven by constant thought and motion, my work invites moments of stillness. The art becomes a space where viewers can rest in awareness and recognize the shared consciousness behind all forms—reminding us that behind every image and every mind lies a clear, timeless canvas.