About the artist
J.R. Harris’s journey is one of ambition, reinvention, and an enduring belief in the power of possibility.
Raised in California as one of 17 children, primarily by his grandmother, Harris learned perseverance at an early age. A defining conversation with a neighbor when he was 13 awakened him to the idea that he could shape his own future. From that moment, he committed himself to his education and basketball—a discipline that ultimately earned him an athletic scholarship.
Harris first encountered Seattle in 1981 while competing against Seattle Pacific University. Captivated by the city, he made a promise to return and one day call it home. He eventually did, building a successful career in sports management and representing prominent athletes including Anthony Peeler, Cliff Robinson, Doug Christie, and Jerome Kersey.
His work took him across the country and around the world, where visits to museums and galleries deepened a lifelong fascination with fine art. Yet it was not until early 2012 that this passion became his calling.
After returning from one of his favorite art-supply stores, Harris settled into his Belltown home to watch a Sunday afternoon football game. In that quiet moment, a realization surfaced with unmistakable clarity: “Now is the time.”
From then on, he devoted himself fully to painting.
Working primarily in acrylic on canvas and wood, Harris creates expressive abstract works distinguished by vibrant color, movement, texture, and emotional depth. His compositions invite viewers to experience color as both atmosphere and language—each work revealing something different depending on the perspective brought to it.
His artwork has been exhibited throughout the Puget Sound region, including at Woodhouse Winery, Thomasville Furniture, and Seattle’s Alibi Room. His work has found an audience among private collectors, businesses, and those seeking bold contemporary art for residential, corporate, and gallery environments.
For Harris, painting is ultimately about connection. He creates work that allows people to discover meaning for themselves—to encounter a piece that feels personal, resonant, and entirely their own.
That spirit of connection also extends to his philanthropy. Harris has donated original works to prominent charitable auctions, with organizations including the Detlef Schrempf Foundation and the Seattle Aquarium featuring his art in support of their fundraising efforts.
Today, J.R. Harris continues to expand his artistic practice and collector following, creating work that transforms space while reflecting the determination, curiosity, and lived experience that have shaped his remarkable journey.
Raised in California as one of 17 children, primarily by his grandmother, Harris learned perseverance at an early age. A defining conversation with a neighbor when he was 13 awakened him to the idea that he could shape his own future. From that moment, he committed himself to his education and basketball—a discipline that ultimately earned him an athletic scholarship.
Harris first encountered Seattle in 1981 while competing against Seattle Pacific University. Captivated by the city, he made a promise to return and one day call it home. He eventually did, building a successful career in sports management and representing prominent athletes including Anthony Peeler, Cliff Robinson, Doug Christie, and Jerome Kersey.
His work took him across the country and around the world, where visits to museums and galleries deepened a lifelong fascination with fine art. Yet it was not until early 2012 that this passion became his calling.
After returning from one of his favorite art-supply stores, Harris settled into his Belltown home to watch a Sunday afternoon football game. In that quiet moment, a realization surfaced with unmistakable clarity: “Now is the time.”
From then on, he devoted himself fully to painting.
Working primarily in acrylic on canvas and wood, Harris creates expressive abstract works distinguished by vibrant color, movement, texture, and emotional depth. His compositions invite viewers to experience color as both atmosphere and language—each work revealing something different depending on the perspective brought to it.
His artwork has been exhibited throughout the Puget Sound region, including at Woodhouse Winery, Thomasville Furniture, and Seattle’s Alibi Room. His work has found an audience among private collectors, businesses, and those seeking bold contemporary art for residential, corporate, and gallery environments.
For Harris, painting is ultimately about connection. He creates work that allows people to discover meaning for themselves—to encounter a piece that feels personal, resonant, and entirely their own.
That spirit of connection also extends to his philanthropy. Harris has donated original works to prominent charitable auctions, with organizations including the Detlef Schrempf Foundation and the Seattle Aquarium featuring his art in support of their fundraising efforts.
Today, J.R. Harris continues to expand his artistic practice and collector following, creating work that transforms space while reflecting the determination, curiosity, and lived experience that have shaped his remarkable journey.