About James Creative Shields

James Shields is an international artist, designer, educator, and researcher based in Oakland, CA, driven by a deep passion for freedom and imagination. Specializing in illustrations, murals, soft sculpture, and coloring books, his journey into art began after being laid off from his corporate job following his graduation from Howard University. In 2009, he decided to pursue his passion for art as his “real job,” a turning point that led him through a rich tapestry of professional and personal experiences. These include roles as an international muralist, design strategist, labor organizer, educator, and documentarian.

Throughout his diverse career, James has remained committed to his creative mission, guided by his personal mantra, “creators gone create.” This philosophy has allowed him to navigate the realms of social justice, historical preservation, community building, and business development consulting.

His current project, The Watermelon Couch, is a historical public research initiative that captures the narratives of Black farmers, artists, and historians. It explores the Great Migration of the 1950s, when Black Americans moved from the rural South to urban cities in search of industrial jobs.