James is survived by his husband, Douglas Braun; his sister Nancy (Rolf) Mischker; his children, Paloma Wall, Noah Wall, and Day (Eric) Lehning; and his grandchildren, Lewis and June Lehning.
James was born on April 11, 1945 in Clayton, Georgia to James Calvin Wall, Sr. and Reba Swanson.
James’ lifelong art practice began in college, attending several art schools including Cooper Union and VCU before receiving his BFA from the Atlanta College of Art. Here, James met his late wife, Hèloïse Betts. James and Hèloïse shared 35 years of marriage, raised three children, and lived their life together in Charlottesville, Virginia before Hèloïse passed away in 2009.
On a vacation in Portland, Oregon James met his husband, Douglas Braun. Married in 2014, the two shared a home, an art studio, and a baby grand piano named “Hillary.”
An artist and designer, James was an uncompromising master of his craft. As his friend and brother-in-law Earle Betts observed “James brought many beautiful things into this world.” He also had the cleanest art studio in town and was known to gift a portrait when you least expected it.
James usually ordered dessert. James was a walker. James enjoyed a good graphic T. In his art studio hung a sign reading “Silence improves anyone” and in his pocket he kept “Stop talking” business cards.
James’ ashes will be spread from Big Sandy, Montana to the Borghese Gardens in Rome. His memory will be cherished by family and friends around the world.
A celebration of James’ life will be held at 3pm, Saturday, November 3 at H.M. Patterson & Son-Spring Hill Chapel, 1020 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18