While growing up, James was mentored by Seattle composer and pianist Lockrem Johnson. He received national recognition in his teens for his choral and chamber compositions. James has produced seven albums of original instrumental music, some of which have been distributed internationally.

"I engage in music to participate in the harmony of nature. I turn to music to express my own emotions: but as the work evolves it goes far beyond myself and develops its own life and destiny."

The visual art of James Hardman celebrates the beauty of his island home. "I paint to convey a sensibility, a way of perceiving." He is self-taught and his unusual style has developed over twenty years of experimentation. His technique incorporates elements of glazing methods from the Renaissance with color treatment reminiscent of the pointillists. He works in multiple layers of translucent paint, using either a combination of watercolor and acrylic or a combination of oil and egg tempera. His paintings have found homes in over 500 private collections.