JIM TYLER

Painting the Moment Light Changes Everything

Light is often what first stops me.

It may be late-afternoon sun crossing a California hillside, fog softening the edge of the coast, or a figure emerging from shadow. Those moments—when light transforms an ordinary scene—are what I most want to capture in paint.

I work exclusively in pastel. Its immediacy and richness of color allow me to move between precise observation and expressive mark-making while preserving the energy that first attracted me to a subject.

My paintings range from the land and coast of California to Western subjects, portraits and figures. Although the subjects vary, I return again and again to the same concerns: strong light, deep shadow, atmosphere, composition and the human presence within a place.

I began working seriously in pastel in 2001 and am largely self-taught. Since then my work has received awards in regional and national exhibitions and has appeared in publications including Pastel Journal and Plein Air Magazine. I am a Distinguished Member of the Pastel Society of the West Coast and a founding member of the California Central Coast Pastel Society.

I live and paint on California's Central Coast, where I also teach pastel workshops.

Awards

• "Living Color", Third Place at Pastel Society of the West Coast's Out of Bounds Show in Morro Bay, CA (2026)
• "The Young Vaquero", Award of Excellence at The Painters Group Show in Morro Bay, CA (2025)
• "Graceful Flow", Royal Talens in-kind award at Pastel Society of the West Coast's Pastels USA Show in Brea, CA (2024)
• "Jo and Sturgill", Open Studios Art Tour Catalog Cover Award (2024)
• "Pacific Light", First Place, Morro Bay Art Association's Our County Show (2023)
• "Emergence", Dick Blick in-kind award at Pastel Society of the West Coast's Pastels USA Show in Stockton, CA (2023)
• "A Quiet Self-Confidence", Best of Show at Pastel Society of the West Coast's Pastels USA Show (2022)
• "Awakening", 4th Place at Pastel National Juried Exhibition at the Chico CA Art Center (2022)
• "Into the Water", Merit Award at Arizona Pastel Artists Association National Open Show (2021)
• "Pinecrest Lake", Second Place at Cambria Allied Arts Center (2020)
• "Cal Poly Barn", Rancher's Choice Award at the Morro Bay Art Center (2017)
• "Tulum Seascape", Honorable Mention in the Pastel Journal's Pastel 100 Competition (2016)
• "Tulum Seascape", Dakota Pastels in-kind award at Pastel Society of the West Coast's Pastels USA show in Stockton, CA (2015)
• "Lily and Lace", First Place at the Indian Wells Art Exhibition, CA (2012)
• "Lily and Lace", Award of Excellence at the Sierra Pastel Society's Pastels on High Competition (2012)
• "Lily and Lace", Airfloat Systems in-kind award at Pastel Society of the West Coast's Pastels USA, Morro Bay, CA (2012)
• "Lily and Lace", Award of Merit at The White Show at Studios on the Park, Paso Robles, CA (2012)
• "Moretti Canyon Vineyard", Third place at Brushstrokes Show at the San Luis Museum of Art (2013)
• "Thorns", Award of Merit at Galaxy Show, Paso Robles, CA (2011)
• "Khadijeh's Wedding", Award of Merit at Sierra Pastel Society's Pastels on High show in Stockton, CA (2010)
• "Khadijeh's Wedding", Award at PRAA's "In Vogue" show (2010)
• "Santa Margarita Reflections", Thelma Davis Award at Sierra Pastel Society's Pastels on High show in Stockton, CA (2010)
• "Brothers", Merit Award for black and white photography at PRAA Aspects of Love show (2011)
• "Morro Dunes", Second place at Morro Bay Fine Arts Auction (2008)
• "Calico Shadows", In-kind award at Pastel Society of the West Coast's Pastels USA in Sacramento, CA (2007)
• "Calico Shadows", Third place at Color of Autumn show in Paso Robles, CA (2007)
• "Cafe", Third place at Brushstrokes in San Luis Obispo, CA (2006)
• "Questioning Passion", Third place award at SLO Art Center
• "Angles of Light", Second place at New Times Photography Show (2005)
• "Avila Ocean Lines", First place at Templeton Fine Arts Show (2003)
• "Opportunity Lost", First place at SLO Art Center's Brushstrokes Show
• "Light and Shadows", Third place at New Times Photography Show (2001)
• "Kristen", Third place at New Times Photograph Show (2001)

Publications, Television and Social Media

• "Curves of Light", Plein Air Magazine (April 2023)
• "Tulum Seascape", Pastel Journal's Pastel 100 Competition ( April 2016)
• "Voice of Paso" podcast (April 2020) with Dr. Jill Thayer
• "Wild Hope" Magazine, raptor photos
• "This is Art" featured a half-hour interview with Tyler, including a discussion of one dozen of his favorite pieces. A DVD of the show, which aired in 2004 on Charter Cable TV Channel 2, is available for viewing; contact Tyler.
• Featured artist on HomeWorkshop.com article "How to Find Art for your Home"

Associations

• Distinguished member of the Pastel Society of the West Coast
• Founding member of the California Central Coast Pastel Society
• San Luis Outdoor Painters for the Environment
• Morro Bay Art Association
• San Luis Obispo Museum of Art Painters Group