James Ehlers

Assistant Professor of Art

Drawing and 2D Design

Bio

James Ehlers was born and raised in Lake Charles, LA. He earned his MFA from the University of Florida and is a certified FEGA (Firearms Engravers Guild of America) Master Engraver. He joined Baylor University in the summer of 2024 to teach Two-Dimensional Design and Drawing. He previously worked at Emporia State University for 16 years where he served as Professor of Engraving Arts, Art Department Chair, and Interim Dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts. Since 2007, he has given numerous engraving workshops at various events including the Frogman’s Printmaking Workshop (South Dakota), IMPACT Printmaking Conferences (Dundee, Scotland and Bristol, England), MAPC (Minnesota), and universities around the country. He has participated in group exhibitions in Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Poland, Portugal, Norway, Romania, The Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, and across the United States.

MFA, University of Florida
MA, Bradley University
BA, McNeese State University

Artist Statement

My work explores the experience of attachment to thoughts and material items. The imagery reflects on how deeply felt experiences like sadness, anger, fear, and joy are constantly slipping away. It considers how fleeting intense emotions can be. Influenced by Vanitas artists, I use bones alongside shifting elements like insects, fruit, and flora to build allegories of decay, time and emotion. These surreal narratives are informed by stories, scripture, philosophy and everyday experiences.

James Ehler CV