James Marshall Frase-White

fine art in paper & glass

Stained Glass, cut paper paintings, watercolor & Sculpture

in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont

A Show of early works in a Variety of Mediums

This begins with the evolution of one of my more ambitious papercut works. The joy of paper cutting evolved from a fun way to amuse and educate children to a genuine art form that would facilitate inspiration of ideas that seem natural in my hands.. A random form may usurp an idea and spawn a different creation, with the slice of a scissor blade.

In the past years I have begun again to navigate watercolor, and examples are added. The bottom slideshow time travels back to earlier works, exploring several mediums. Click on the text to enlarge and begin a slide show.

The Apocolypse Rumor: Medieval Meditations with 9/11 in sight

Sketch for a Window, 2009

I have been fascinated by Medieval Art, and theology, for many years. In 2009 I made this gouache sketch for a window, followed by many more sketches. Based on 15th century illuminated manuscripts became the basis for the following paper cut 4-part work. 24 x 24

The Angel of God, 2012

This watercolor was became the basis for my first image for a paper cut of the haunting story of the Apocalypse, which simultaneously animated and deterred the christian sect that influenced my mother's theological thinking. This shares biblical imagery with symbolic Christian ideas and Muslim colors. It spawned the following four panels to contemplate the paranoid wish for death and salvation. Paper, scissors and glue became my tools. It took a year to complete.

The Call of the Angel of the Lord

Gabriel calls the children of Abraham with the final trumpet, destroying the world of the unfaithful, calling the believers home to the throne of the Almighty and Powerful Creator. 2013

Life on Earth, on a September Morn

The beauty of earth, depicted in this halcyon scene, portrays my dog and two former students flying a kite on a beach, a great island city across the waters, all unaware of the approaching Vengeance of the Almighty. 2013

Car Bombing

The destruction of the unbelievers begins, so earth can be cleansed for the glory of God. The car is made of a map of the world, consumed forever in fiery hells.

Of Stars we are Made

"Of dust where we made, and of dust shall we return." Even when earth is no more, and human habitation ends, whether by man or god(s), our matter will continue, for eternity in the dust, and light, of stars.

The Apocalypse Quartet 2013

The four scenes from medieval to modern are united to tell a tale that has formed in the minds of men, considering the joy of living, the fear of death, and the hope for eternity. 42" x 42"

Gabriel trumpets the Last Call

This was a sketch done in 2012, but laid unfinished until recently (August 2016). I revived with a certain jollity, a full grown cherub rejoicing in the forthcoming destruction of the world & humanity again (Noah, ha!), the end/beginning of time, again, all by the creator of it all. 16 x 12

Sketch for a Window, 2009

I have been fascinated by Medieval Art, and theology, for many years. In 2009 I made this gouache sketch for a window, followed by many more sketches. Based on 15th century illuminated manuscripts became the basis for the following paper cut 4-part work. 24 x 24

The Angel of God, 2012

This watercolor was became the basis for my first image for a paper cut of the haunting story of the Apocalypse, which simultaneously animated and deterred the christian sect that influenced my mother's theological thinking. This shares biblical imagery with symbolic Christian ideas and Muslim colors. It spawned the following four panels to contemplate the paranoid wish for death and salvation. Paper, scissors and glue became my tools. It took a year to complete.

The Call of the Angel of the Lord

Gabriel calls the children of Abraham with the final trumpet, destroying the world of the unfaithful, calling the believers home to the throne of the Almighty and Powerful Creator. 2013

Life on Earth, on a September Morn

The beauty of earth, depicted in this halcyon scene, portrays my dog and two former students flying a kite on a beach, a great island city across the waters, all unaware of the approaching Vengeance of the Almighty. 2013

Car Bombing

The destruction of the unbelievers begins, so earth can be cleansed for the glory of God. The car is made of a map of the world, consumed forever in fiery hells.

Of Stars we are Made

"Of dust where we made, and of dust shall we return." Even when earth is no more, and human habitation ends, whether by man or god(s), our matter will continue, for eternity in the dust, and light, of stars.

The Apocalypse Quartet 2013

The four scenes from medieval to modern are united to tell a tale that has formed in the minds of men, considering the joy of living, the fear of death, and the hope for eternity. 42" x 42"

Gabriel trumpets the Last Call

This was a sketch done in 2012, but laid unfinished until recently (August 2016). I revived with a certain jollity, a full grown cherub rejoicing in the forthcoming destruction of the world & humanity again (Noah, ha!), the end/beginning of time, again, all by the creator of it all. 16 x 12

Prophets Rumors Flamingoes Butterflies Flying Fish Daemons Angels

Moroni Proclaims (Detail) 2014

Ever since I heard about Joseph Smith's revelation that the Angel Moroni appeared to the "Indians" of the Americas announcing the message of the Gospel I have pondered this vision, until the eyes of this angel, sometimes called Nephri, was made manifest to me in this vision, producing the following work.

Revelation to the Unknown World

High above a volcano, Moroni, the Angel of the Lord God Extols the Gospel to the peoples of the Unknown World, as revealed to me, in the foreign language of paper. 2014 24 x 36

Little Miss Paula's Picnic Daemon

A famous & beloved chef gets roasted by the press when words from the past sabotage today's good fortune. A little satire on the daemons that lurk in the closets of our minds who come to the picnic without an invitation. It is a sad satire on the legacy of Jim Crow (and a play on the word pickaninny). Due to fading of paper choices the work has been redone in acrylic on canvas. See Recent Works.

Black Molly Goes to School

This is an aquarium study of my high school in 1964 when for the first time in the history of the USA the ugly world of Jim Crow began to break down. One brave young lady, Carolyn Greer, became the first black student in my class to graduate from a white school in Caroline County, Maryland. Finally America was learning to break through the deep waters of hypocrisy and learn to fly! 2014

Ascenion in Narnia

Aslan, the lion who reigns over Narnia is undoubtedly the Christ figure, powerful over the evils of darkness in the classic C.S. Lewis trilogy. Thus, he must have, as did the Son of God, ascend into heaven. Here I have depicted Narnia on Ascension Day, with two Guardian Angels lauding the Lord Aslan as he rises into the Celestial Realm 35 x 25 x 3

Chasing Rabbits 'cross Southern Skie

The theme of migration, awareness of the diminishing numbers of butterflies are wrapped into the imagery of this work. 12 x 12, rice and handmade papers, canvas paper, card stock 2014

Flying to Bujumbura

African music (White Man Sleeps by South African Composer, Kevin Volans, performed by Kronos Quartet), a cutout of a spray-paint undercoat image mixed with a map, flamingos, clouds, awoke reminiscences of a friend, a missionary son, telling me of growing up in the Eden of Burundi, a dream of freedom and return to that land, torn by strife, once again a hope for return to that green paradise. It began with cutout of a spray-paint undercoat image mixed with a National Geo map of East Africa

Uncle Finbarr

Uncle Finbarr was Inspired by a red-headed fisherman who worked in our restaurant kitchen, in Newburyport, MA, one winter, who always dreamed of catching "Mr. Tuna" (who he would talk to under his breath as he did his prep work). For you, dear Freddie and your magic dreams of the Ocean. This has been revised and enlarged, and sealed in acrylic, in 2017, turning to Lord Finbarr.

Little Dragon Elf

Just a fun little piece 10 x 8, set into a frame found in a junk shop. Various parts collected and found themselves impishly constructed into one sweet package.

Nana in Net Stockings, or the Pimple

A drawing resurrected from the 1970's stylized with papercutting, sharp and rude maybe with a hint of beauty. 8 x 10

Moroni Proclaims (Detail) 2014

Ever since I heard about Joseph Smith's revelation that the Angel Moroni appeared to the "Indians" of the Americas announcing the message of the Gospel I have pondered this vision, until the eyes of this angel, sometimes called Nephri, was made manifest to me in this vision, producing the following work.

Revelation to the Unknown World

High above a volcano, Moroni, the Angel of the Lord God Extols the Gospel to the peoples of the Unknown World, as revealed to me, in the foreign language of paper. 2014 24 x 36

Little Miss Paula's Picnic Daemon

A famous & beloved chef gets roasted by the press when words from the past sabotage today's good fortune. A little satire on the daemons that lurk in the closets of our minds who come to the picnic without an invitation. It is a sad satire on the legacy of Jim Crow (and a play on the word pickaninny). Due to fading of paper choices the work has been redone in acrylic on canvas. See Recent Works.

Black Molly Goes to School

This is an aquarium study of my high school in 1964 when for the first time in the history of the USA the ugly world of Jim Crow began to break down. One brave young lady, Carolyn Greer, became the first black student in my class to graduate from a white school in Caroline County, Maryland. Finally America was learning to break through the deep waters of hypocrisy and learn to fly! 2014

Ascenion in Narnia

Aslan, the lion who reigns over Narnia is undoubtedly the Christ figure, powerful over the evils of darkness in the classic C.S. Lewis trilogy. Thus, he must have, as did the Son of God, ascend into heaven. Here I have depicted Narnia on Ascension Day, with two Guardian Angels lauding the Lord Aslan as he rises into the Celestial Realm 35 x 25 x 3

Chasing Rabbits 'cross Southern Skie

The theme of migration, awareness of the diminishing numbers of butterflies are wrapped into the imagery of this work. 12 x 12, rice and handmade papers, canvas paper, card stock 2014

Flying to Bujumbura

African music (White Man Sleeps by South African Composer, Kevin Volans, performed by Kronos Quartet), a cutout of a spray-paint undercoat image mixed with a map, flamingos, clouds, awoke reminiscences of a friend, a missionary son, telling me of growing up in the Eden of Burundi, a dream of freedom and return to that land, torn by strife, once again a hope for return to that green paradise. It began with cutout of a spray-paint undercoat image mixed with a National Geo map of East Africa

Uncle Finbarr

Uncle Finbarr was Inspired by a red-headed fisherman who worked in our restaurant kitchen, in Newburyport, MA, one winter, who always dreamed of catching "Mr. Tuna" (who he would talk to under his breath as he did his prep work). For you, dear Freddie and your magic dreams of the Ocean. This has been revised and enlarged, and sealed in acrylic, in 2017, turning to Lord Finbarr.

Little Dragon Elf

Just a fun little piece 10 x 8, set into a frame found in a junk shop. Various parts collected and found themselves impishly constructed into one sweet package.

Nana in Net Stockings, or the Pimple

A drawing resurrected from the 1970's stylized with papercutting, sharp and rude maybe with a hint of beauty. 8 x 10

Hop in the Tardis, we are going back in Time

Love bade me Welcome. 1977

This is based on the mystical poem of George Herbert (1593-1633) "Love Bade me Welcome", and created as a beautiful choral work by Ralph Vaughan Williams’ 5 Mystical Songs, from 1911. An earthly lover is called to follow The Shepherd of Souls leaving behind his sensual pursuits for a cloistered religious life. 18 x 14 (Image)

The Bright Blue of Young Stars 1981

Watercolor of love awakening, like Easter, love rising, breaking the bonds of death. Only this time it is a physical, true, earthly love.

The Passion of St. John 1977

Carrara Marble. Created as an Honors project at Boston State College, as I taught myself to carve marble. The title is inspired by the Oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach.

At Home In Amsterdam 1990

Soapstone on a Slate base. Named in honor of a Dutch friend who had just moved into a new home in that artful city.

Odalisque with Slave (Olympia)

1989. Carrara and Belgian Black Marble. A tribute to Manet and one of the most sensual paintings of all time. 1989

Olympia 1993

Another tribute to the great Olympia. 12 x 15. I also did a tiny 5 x 7 version. private collection.

White Magic in silver Moonlight

White Talc (soapstone) on sandstone base. 1989

Black Iris 1994

An early work, of the flower of flowers, Goddess of the Rainbow, the exquisite Iris. Private Collection.

Jesus & Johannan at Little Bighorn

Installation for show at Newburyport Art Association Sam Sargeant Gallery 1989. Painted canvas, cast plaster, arrows, wing on headboard.

Love bade me Welcome. 1977

This is based on the mystical poem of George Herbert (1593-1633) "Love Bade me Welcome", and created as a beautiful choral work by Ralph Vaughan Williams’ 5 Mystical Songs, from 1911. An earthly lover is called to follow The Shepherd of Souls leaving behind his sensual pursuits for a cloistered religious life. 18 x 14 (Image)

The Bright Blue of Young Stars 1981

Watercolor of love awakening, like Easter, love rising, breaking the bonds of death. Only this time it is a physical, true, earthly love.

The Passion of St. John 1977

Carrara Marble. Created as an Honors project at Boston State College, as I taught myself to carve marble. The title is inspired by the Oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach.

At Home In Amsterdam 1990

Soapstone on a Slate base. Named in honor of a Dutch friend who had just moved into a new home in that artful city.

Odalisque with Slave (Olympia)

1989. Carrara and Belgian Black Marble. A tribute to Manet and one of the most sensual paintings of all time. 1989

Olympia 1993

Another tribute to the great Olympia. 12 x 15. I also did a tiny 5 x 7 version. private collection.

White Magic in silver Moonlight

White Talc (soapstone) on sandstone base. 1989

Black Iris 1994

An early work, of the flower of flowers, Goddess of the Rainbow, the exquisite Iris. Private Collection.

Jesus & Johannan at Little Bighorn

Installation for show at Newburyport Art Association Sam Sargeant Gallery 1989. Painted canvas, cast plaster, arrows, wing on headboard.

Jesus & Johannan at Little Bighorn

Installation for show at Newburyport Art Association Sam Sargeant Gallery 1989. Painted canvas, cast plaster, arrows, wing on headboard.