James Daniel Horstman is a self-taught professional artist born and raised Sylva, a rural mountain town in Western North Carolina. His work is heavily influenced by the region’s natural landscapes and urban textures, as well as a lifelong dedication to the study and appreciation of fine art.
Working primarily in soft pastels, ink, and graphite, his practice is guided by gesture and composition. Spanning both abstraction and realism, his work draws from all forms of Expressionism as well as Synthetism and American Tonalism.
James coined the term "Appalachian Expressionism" to articulate this regional identity within a broader artistic dialogue. He has shown in numerous juried exhibitions, published multiple works in art journals and has sold thousands of prints throughout the Carolinas.