EXPLORING BETWEEN THE PETALS
FROM THE SHORES OF DURBAN TO THE BUSY STREETS OF JOHANNESBURG AND NOW THE ROLLING MOUNTAINS OF THE CAPE WINELANDS, GLEN JAMES HAS ALWAYS FELT A STRONG CONNECTION TO NATURE. ONCE THE OWNER OF A SUCCESSFUL ADVERTISING AGENCY, GLEN NOW FOCUSES ON RECONNECTING WITH THE NATURE HE LOVES, CREATING INTRICATE DESIGNS INSPIRED BY THE NATURAL BEAUTY SURROUNDING HIM.
The multi-skilled Glen James began his formal art journey at Durban Technikon, where he spent the latter part of the seventies studying fine art. Although drawn to the subject’s intricacies, Glen always felt a connection to graphic design, eventually studying both.
“My folks weren’t thrilled by my decision to pursue art. In those days, there was no money or real prospects as an ar tist. But I was one of those kids that could draw and do nothing else, so I knew there was a future for me here”.
FROM ART TO ADVERTISING
After qualifying, Glen spent several years in the army due to mandatory conscription at the time before eventually moving to Johannesburg in the eighties. Here, he found his first position at an advertising agency. Having fallen in love with the unique freedom that advertising afforded him, Glen moved quickly through the ranks, gaining experience at a number of the top marketing agencies in the country.
“Advertising is remarkable. People often say, ‘Oh, it’s just commercial art, ‘ but I was allowed to create beautiful things. It was a rare opportunity as an artist to have access to those kinds of budgets to support your work.”
During this time, Glen honed his passion for design and discovered his calling in the field.“I would design anything: a table, a chair, a logo, really anything around me. I just felt a sense of ‘We could do better’. So, I got into the business of redesigning things. Of creating things; it was my calling.”
After several years working for agencies, Glen and his business partner decided to take a leap of faith and start their own venture. Walking out the door with no clients or staff when people were leaving the country in droves, Glen and his partner set up The Old Shanghai Firecracker Factory – an umbrella organisation for like-minded people to start their own ventures.
“We started our business in ’94, a year when people were leaving the country, and here we were, starting a business! It was a risk, but we set out with a vision to find like-minded people to join us under the umbrella of this company so we could all share resources. We hired nobody – only senior people could join and start their own businesses in this environment. It was an astonishing journey.”
UNLOCKING NEW SKILLS
Over the next 25 years, Glen’s business found great success, sustaining him and his business partner and becoming a wellrecognised name in the advertising industry. The journey was not without challenges, however, as changing mediums and expectations forced Glen and his colleagues to adapt how they did business and the art they created.
“At some point, Apple MacBooks arrived from America. I have always tended to be a fine art designer rather than a digital designer, coming from a background of hands-on creation. Although we had no training, we were forced to adapt and make this new way of doing things part of our repertoire. It was challenging at points, but I consider myself lucky to have come from a hands-on art creation background and moved onto the computer. It has given me the ability to think outside the box, a skill many of the digital generation have struggled to acquire.”
RECONNECTING WITH NATURE
After 25 years of leading the business, Glen decided to step back and move with his family to a farm in the Cape, leaving the thriving business to the young people. It was on his farm that Glen discovered the inspiration for the artwork displayed in FlySafair’s aircraft.
“During the pandemic, I was in my garden and was astonished at all the different flowers I could see. So, I decided I would design them – I would draw them but in a beautiful design on my computer. Once I started, I noticed just how many of them there were – suddenly, the collection built up to the point where I now have around 80 beautiful jewels.”
The flower designs, which Glen aptly calls “jewels,” are a detailed interpretation of the wonderful wildflowers that appear across the country, seemingly out of nowhere. Glen was particularly interested in Cosmos, tiny flowers with star-like patterns in the centre that only grow where the soil has been disturbed.
“I have a long history with FlySafair, having been part of their initial launch and logo design. I was thrilled when they approached me, asking to use some of my jewels in their aircraft! I hope people feel happy when they see the designs – our country needs some happiness.”
Glen’s brightly coloured designs remind us of the beauty and wonder that surrounds us all, encouraging us to appreciate the beauty our country has to offer.
You can find out more about Glen and his work at greenlandsfarmstudio.com.