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By Ainsley Weems | MSU Communication Student Class of 2026 

Brad James Jr. discovered his passion for art with the help of his art appreciation professor at �������� State University. He decided to change his major to art and grow his skills in figure and portrait drawing, illustrations and graphics. However, a new world opened up to James when he took Timothy McCourt’s non-representational painting course. 

“That shifted everything to me. After graduating, I took about three months and just did nothing but abstract art,” James said.

James’ newly found style inspired him to enter a few abstract pieces of work in the 51st MSU Student Juried Exhibition. This exhibition is where his abstract piece won “Best in Show,” to his surprise.

“That came as a surprise because it was an abstract painting,” said James, typically a figure and portraits painter. “It meant a lot to get acknowledgment from your colleagues about something that you really don't even practice like that.”

When it came to painting the mural at Pita Pit’s Starkville location, he teamed up with fellow Department of Art graduate Donovan Weathers II, Class of 2024. James said this is just one of a few murals they have worked on together.

“It's not our first mural together,” James said, “but I think we'll both agree that this is definitely the most creative now the ones that we've done.”

Reflecting on his time as a student at �������� State, James said that he believes more art students need to get out of their shell within the first few years and connect with one another. By reaching out to a peer, the door is open for bonds to be formed. He also advises students to learn to take criticism well and look at it as an opportunity to grow.

“A lot of artists have a hard time with criticism, so if you find someone that you can get good criticism from and y’all both benefit from it, that will launch you,” James said, “because without criticism, you're not going to get better.”