James J. Kessinger III, born in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1978, grew up overseas in South America, the Carribean, Africa, and Europe. Born to parents in the Foreign Service, James became interested in painting at a young age, and was particulary influenced by the colors, textures, and mystical symbolism of African and Carribean Art.  He earned his Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts at the University of New Mexico  in 2000 and has taught Art and World history at both public and private secondary schools. .