Biography
Jim Nilsen spent twenty years commercial fishing and photographing in Alaska. During his fishing years, he obtained a degree in photography from Spokane Falls Community College. His photos of the commercial fishing industry have been widely published on magazine and book covers, calendars, and even a billboard in Canada. Nilsen’s earliest creative influence was the photographer, Harold Sund. When asked why he became a photographer, Nilsen’s succinct reply was, "What a great way to make a living!". In 1991, Jim made the decision to jump ship and pursue his real love, photographing colorful scenes in colorful places, most of which happen to be outside of the United States. Foreign locations visited so far include Brazil, Greece, Guatemala, Italy, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Portugal, and Turkey. Domestically, Jim has photographed in New Orleans and the Southwest. His viewers tell him that his simple compositions and bright, graphically powerful images instill in them a sense of calm and joy. Nilsen has exhibited his work at Cherry Creek in Denver, CO; Main Street Arts Festival in Ft. Worth, TX; and at the Bellevue Arts & Crafts show in Bellevue, WA. Awards for his brilliant photographic works are numerous: "2000 Best of Photography", Bayou City Arts Festival in Houston, TX; "1997 Best of Photography" - Main Street Ft. Worth Arts Festival, Ft. Worth, TX; "1996 Award of Merit", Utah Arts Festival; "1996 Best 2-D Art Award", Art at the Vineyard in Eugene, OR; and "1993 Award of Excellence", PGC NW Arts & Crafts in Bellevue, WA.
