Colorado Treasures, Watercolors by J. R. Hamil

For those who love and cherish Colorado and for those experiencing the state for the first time, COLORADO TREASURES offers and insider's view of the diversity of this unique place. From mountains to high plains, from sophisticated cities to rural towns, the watercolor paintings of reknowned artist Jim Hamil provide images that reflect the glory that is Colorado.

As a part-time Colorado resident for many years, Hamil captures the heart of the state through paintings from familiar mountain overlooks as well as seldom-seen settings discovered by a creative eye for beauty. This collection represents 30 years of Hamil's award-winning work. Hamil's paintings can be found today in art collections throughout the country.

COLORADO TREASURES offers an artist's look at the landscapes that people throughout the world have come to love. Hamil's fans will appreciate his intrepretations of Colorado's essence in the nearly 100 watercolors in this new book

James R. Hamil spent 15 years as an artist for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1973 he opened his own studio to devote full time to painting and commissions. Born in Hastings, Nebraska in 1937, Hamil graduated from the University of Kansas in 1958.

A fondness for Colorado and its endless inspirations for paintings led Hamil, and his wife Sharon, to spend several months each year as residents of Steamboat Springs causing them to feel like they truly belonged there.

Two earlier books of Hamil's paintings reflect the breadth of the artist's eye as he has traveled the countryside of the heartland and the mountain west. In 1975, Hamil collaborated with his journalist father on FARMLAND USA,, a bicentennial project of Farmland Industries. In 1984 Hamil, with his wife Sharon, produced RETURN TO KANSAS a book of nearly 100 of Jim's paintings showing the diversity and beauty of the state.

Sharon Hamil is a retired junior high school teacher. She graduated from the University of Kansas in 1961, and received her Master's Degree in 1964. She taught social studies in the Shawnee Mission, Kansas public schools.

Jim and Sharon Hamil make their home in Overland Park, Kansas where Jim also has his studio.