James Mylne (artist)

As with many other bored students — artists or not — Mylne doodled in biro (as ballpoint pens are known in the UK) during secondary school.[4] Although he has spoken of original aspirations to be a painter and was still painting at the age of 18,[5] James had already begun giving ballpoint pens greater consideration as an art medium since he was 16, or "around 1996".[4] By his college years, prior to widespread popularity of the internet, Mylne was still approaching his ballpoint pen usage as if he were the only one using them to create art, ignorant of anyone else using them.[1]

Of his choice of ballpoints as a preferred medium, Mylne credits the pen's capabilities of precision and distinct contrast.[6] Such "technical" aspects of the medium have interested him most, in part fueling his desire "to master ballpoint photorealism".[1] Mylne has said that biros appeal to him because of the concentration required.[6] Separately, he adds, "you find them everywhere."[5]

Upon completion of formal studies, he launched a website dedicated to disseminating information of ballpoint pens as an alternative art medium. Mylne was one of the earliest of artists using ballpoint pens who exploited the internet to promote their work, which in turn attracted attention to ballpoint pens as an art medium overall.[1] He continues to run a blog with the same purposes,[7] and his ongoing YouTube contributions have attracted a following.[5]

Polo Pony 1; 2008, ballpoint pen on paper, 20 x 30cm.

James Mylne participated in a 2010 Bic Challenge campaign sponsored by the pen company, for which he created a replica of Vermeer’s Girl With a Pearl Earring using a single black Bic pen as part of the challenge. He appeared on British television to discuss the artwork,[13] noting the 90 hours of drawing spent toward its completion.[4] The artist and his artwork received media coverage throughout Britain[14] and internationally via the internet at the time.[4]

Mylne participated in the first two of an exhibition series titled Reworked produced by Rook & Raven gallery, London, his representative at the time. As suggested by the exhibition title, a select group of artists was given a choice of photographs lensed by a featured photographer, to interpret as they wished. Terry O’Neill was the featured photographer of the inaugural Reworked exhibition in 2010. Mylne was chosen as one of six artists to collaborate with the renowned photographer for Terry O'Neill, Reworked. The artist opted for a vintage photograph of Sean Connery as his James Bond character,[15] shot during filming of Diamonds Are Forever.[16] Mylne used only black ballpoints, but produced a limited-edition print with additional background colour.[10] Terry O'Neill made an appearance with the artwork (and the photograph from which it was copied) on British television, expressing amazement at the four weeks Mylne spent working on his contribution.[17] Photographs of Mylne drawing the image also appeared in British media.[18]

The second installment of the Reworked exhibitions was held in March 2013, featuring the photography of Bill Wyman, the bass guitarist and founding member of The Rolling Stones who was also known as an avid photographer. He was introduced to Rook & Raven by Terry O'Neill, the previously featured photographer, who'd photographed the band since their early years. Mylne was among five artists selected for Bill Wyman, Reworked, and contributed reworkings of two Wyman photos.[19] One of Mylne's contributions was his black and white reinterpretation of a colour photo Wyman had taken of American model Jerry Hall, a former wife of bandmate Mick Jagger.[20]

James Mylne's Vintage Vogue was his first major solo exhibition, gaining widespread publicity via the internet. The central theme of the October, 2012, exhibition drew on "the elegance and style" of celebrated icons of the 1940s, 50s and 60s.[21] Among the celebrities illustrated in this collection were Coco Chanel and Steve McQueen.[6]

In what would be the first of several shifts by Mylne in 2014, the artist took new steps with his photorealism by getting involved in producing his own photo references instead of using existing photos. The results became Mylne's Torn series, debuted in his Something More exhibition. Mylne combined the photos with his matching ballpoint pen drawings, torn as if exposing different layers, emulating the way torn street posters expose older layers beneath.[1]

In August, 2014, the artist worked with Microsoft to promote the company's new Surface Pro 3 tablet and digital pen. Using the new medium, Mylne recreated some of the most famous portrait paintings in Britain's National Portrait Gallery in London, including the Chandos portrait of William Shakespeare. Mylne commented on the similarities of the two seemingly disparate technologies, calling it a "surprisingly easy transition". His digital depictions were displayed at the institution as part of the promotional campaign.[22][23]

Mylne also began his Anti Con Art series in 2014, for the first time baring personal views through his artwork. As he explained in a "manifesto" released in December,[24] Mylne felt that "contemporary art has been hijacked by an untalented, academic, self-appointed elite", and used the new series to take jabs at what he labels the "Art Mafia". Mylne justified openly expressing such views in an interview with The Ballpointer, stating "I think more people sympathize than actually condemn (such views)".[1]

Mylne continued expressing himself more personally through his artwork into 2015. He began the year promoting his JRM Desktop series through a variety of group and pop-up exhibitions. Artwork in this series show a blend of many alternate interests, while blending ballpoint pen heavily with mixed media. Says Mylne, "I think it's not the artwork that is of value but the artist in the artwork. The artist's spirit, thoughts, concerns have to shine through the work." He also describes the series as "a nice break from the rigorously detailed portraits".[1]