Biography

This is an incredible story of a young man, an artist and creative soul, whose journey must be read to be believed. Through immense adversity, Jet James has emerged on the other side as what I would consider a ‘Creative and Incredibly Humble Genius.’ Orphaned at the tender age of 8, following the tragic circumstances of his parents’ heroin addiction and demise (as Jet candidly shares below), Jet embarked on a life journey that eventually led him to the stunning shores of Yeppoon. What makes his story truly inspirational is that he’s now bringing people from all corners of the world together!

Jet’s parents were immigrants, and his earliest memories of childhood involve breaking into houses in Perth with his father to fund his parents’ heroin addiction. Often neglected and left to fend for himself, he weekends were spent visting the methone clinic with his parents, days at Perth’s local Brass Monkey Pub and Timezone i. It wasn’t until later in life that he discovered his famous (or almost famous) Indian-born mother, Angie King, not only hanging with Jimi Hendrix shortly before his death (as well-documented in Kathy Etchingham’s book, ‘Through Gypsy Eyes’), but she also married Eric Burdon, the lead singer of The Animals, and briefly dated Michael Hutchence, the lead singer of INXS. (Are you intrigued yet?)

Jet’s father, Steven, was an up-and-coming artist of British descent who tragically took Angie’s life in a violent home invasion, shortly after Angie left him for another woman. After serving time in jail, Steven’s life ended in suicide, leaving Jet and his sister as orphans. As Jet puts it, “Dad simply couldn’t find the light within himself.” Jet’s teenage years

were incredibly challenging, marked by constant bullying at school due to his soft nature, shyness, and introverted personality, compounded by his parents’ troubled history. At the age of 15, Jet found himself living on a remote 70,000-acre cattle station in the Gulf with his uncle and aunt. Jet recalled, “No social life (school of the air), no girls, sheer isolation, and remoteness – there was nothing to do. Art kept me sane.” When he came of age, he returned to Western Australia. Jet’s journey led him to Yeppoon on a whim, following a New Year’s resolution and a breakup. “I thought I was in love with a girl (I wasn’t), so I hopped on a plane with just a bag and headed to Rockhampton, where my sister was now living.” Jet got into a cab at Rockhampton Airport, asked the driver to take him to the nearest backpackers’ hostel, and, as he stepped out of the cab, the first person he saw coming out of a news agency was his sister. “It was very bizarre and serendipitous,” Jet exclaimed.

He then added, “I enrolled in a Visual Art degree in Rockhampton, even though the course was officially closed that day. They initially said I was too late, but I showed them my amateur artwork, and they accepted me into the program right away!” He would later win a prestigious prize in a painting module and complete his degree a few years later.

NOW, LET’S TALK ABOUT JET’S ART

Initially, Jet followed a very traditional path in art. “I used to organise exhibitions, and they were hard work,” Jet reminisced. However, one day he had the opportunity to exhibit his art in a pop-up shop that engaged the local community. “It gave me insight into the divide between the business sector and the art industry – it’s a business, I soon realised!” As of October 2023, Jet James Art Gallery has been operating for 2.5 years, with his primary income coming from the sale of original artworks and prints. “I was initially against selling prints, but as my profile soared through social media, I sometimes sell prints for more than the original once they go viral. This also increases the value of my original pieces and for their new owners,” Jet proudly noted. It’s a win-win-win for everyone involved!

Jet takes pride in the fact that his art today connects his past to his present and challenges the stereotypes of how artists should live, crediting the laid-back lifestyle of Yeppoon and its welcoming community for that. When asked about his sources of inspiration, Jet said, “Inspiration is simply a perception of the world as we see it. With my portraits, I aim to translate them into functional products like tea towels that people can use in their everyday lives.”

Jet’s art is characterised by its emotional depth, and he identifies himself as a contemporary artist. While not strictly traditional, he has a deep appreciation for traditional art forms like etching and printmaking. “I’m experimental and enjoy changing things up to convey emotions through my art. It’s that simple! I view it as a romantic way of creating art. I’m more relaxed and spontaneous this year, and I’m excited about what lies ahead,” Jet shared.

After all these years, Jet has found forgiveness in his heart for his father and moved forward. He adores Yeppoon, its lifestyle, and its community, remarking, “Everyone here is just so nice!” While Jet may not always be in his Art Gallery every day, he assured us that he’s always around. Whether you’re new to the area or a local who hasn’t visited Jet James Art Gallery yet, make sure to drop by! Jet loves a good chat, and he’d be delighted to share his story and his artwork.

Jet James Biography

EARLY YEARS

Born in Denmark, Western Australia, 1984, Jet James was son to flower power legend 'Angie King' and aspiring artist Steven Blurton. Jet lived his very early years in poverty, a witness to drug-abuse and crime. At the ages of 5 and 7, Jet and his younger sister Paris, lost their mother to a domestic argument. Two years later they were orphaned from their father ending his own life.

 

SCHOOL YEARS

Jet and his sister were sent to live on a remote cattle station in Queensland in the care of their father's brother and wife. Jet describes them as unloving and distant. Attending no physical school, Jet turned to drawing and immersed himself in his own art world. At the age of 15, Jet was preparing himself for the army, when he decided he wanted to become a professional artist instead.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Jet moved to Rockhampton at the age of 19, where his sister was living at the time. There, he used the $5,000 he inherited from his late grandmother to put himself through a Diploma of Visual Communications at Central Queensland TAFE. Here, he met mentor Peter Indans, an experimental Printmaker from Melbourne who helped Jet develop his love of printmaking using PVC.

AWARD WINNING ARTIST

Jet James is an award winning Australian artist recognised for printmaking, painting and mixed media artworks. Jet has won many accolades including a shortlisting in the National Youth Portrait Prize of Australia, Winner of the Charles Ware National Young Artist Award, and in 2015 he was selected as one of the leading printmakers for an exhibition in New Zealand. 

 

ARTWORK LICENSED BY COMPANIES

 Jet James has also been signed on by companies such as Bio Pak which saw his artwork on coffee cups across Australia & New Zealand, and on Rockflowerpaper Tea Trays & Coasters that was distributed in potentially 5000 outlets across the United States.  Most recently he worked with architect firms in Germany which saw his work used for transparent walls & wall paper in a wellness retreat & hotel in the Swiss Alps. He has also had his artwork transformed onto glass doors at Schaffler Brau a German Brewery.

 

SHARING HIS SKILLS THROUGH ART WORKSHOPS

Jet has a passion for sharing his unique techniques in PVC collagraphy which can be viewed on his YouTube Channel or experienced through Printmaking workshops, some of which includes organisations such as Fibre Arts Australia  in Ballarat, Artworx Geelong, Great Barrier Reef Authority, Lower Hutt Art School New Zealand, Creative Gladstone, Emerald Art Gallery and many private & public schools.  Jet also has 10 years of experience at facilitating art programmes for persons with disabilities.

  

PRESENT TIMES

Jet James is now a renowned Australian artist, designer and owner of this own art gallery in the heart of Yeppoon. The Jet James Art Gallery showcases the artwork and merchandise of Jet James alongside other very talented local Jewellers, Resin and Ceramic Artists. Inside the gallery you may find Jet working on something new and exciting.