The Society of Wildlife Artists

James Coe is an American artist with a passion for birds, nature, and our rural heritage. He studied biology at Harvard University and received his MFA from Parson’s School of Design in New York City. He began his career as a field guide illustrator and is best known as the author and illustrator of the Golden Field Guide Eastern Birds. He lives in the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York State.

Jim took a break from bird illustration work 25 years ago and began painting landscapes in plein air. He eventually brought birds back into his artwork as he integrated them into his oil paintings. Today, in his studio birdscapes, he hopes to evoke that poetic moment that we experience in the field birdwatching when bird, environment and atmosphere all merge into one memorable image.

A professional member of the SWLA since 2024, Jim is also a Signature Member of the Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society, National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, and Society of Animal Artists. He has long shown in the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum’s ​“Birds in Art” annual and in 2011 was recognized as the Museum’s 32nd Master Artist. 

Jim has been featured in many publications, including Harvard Magazine, Plein Air, Wildlife Art, American Art Collector, and Bird Watcher’s Digest. His artwork is in the permanent collections of the New York State Museum, Bell Museum of Natural History in Minneapolis, Museum of American Bird Art at MassAudubon, and the Hiram Blauvelt and Woodson Art Museums.