In the Arms of Adam: A Diary of Men

Born in Fayette, Alabama, Chumbley the middle of three children was raised in Columbus and Warner Robins, Georgia Despite a difficult childhood, James Randall persevered eventually graduating from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia It was here he studied art and psychology discovering and exploring his love of beauty and the difficulties and struggles often associated with achieving it After college, the artist wanted to live in California, but moved to Atlanta, Georgia biggest city closest to home out of family obligations Wasting little time, he began making a name for himself in the city s eclectic, yet welcoming, art world It was at this time he began to explore another outlet for his creativity It started with poems about his difficult past experiences and short stories about life in general, eventually becoming an obsession to document his multi faceted life including the abuse and violence of his childhood using a new medium the written word in his first book, In the Arms of Adam a diary of men It was later followed by two books, Before the Last Dance and Alabama Snow I hope I ve helped people through my writing as well as my art I find writing is very much like painting with words Art has always been an escape for me even as a young child I would hide away in a closet or a corner with paper and crayons drawing places to run away from the yelling and screaming that echoed off the walls of our house that was never a home, as well as from my father s belt For many years, after moving to Atlanta, Chumbley has been involved as an activist and remains effective within several AIDS, Youth, Homeless, Equal Rights, and Mental Health Service Organizations donating his art which encompasses contemporary landscapes, abstracts, and nudes using the media of oil, wax, varnish, and photography His work has been in several galleries and is in many impressive private and corporate collections across the country and abroadIn July 2013, the artist and writer moved to the Palm Springs area of California Making the move after thirty two years, James Randall remains dedicated to his art and writing, and continues to be generous with his work donating it to many of those worthwhile charitable organizations when asked Chumbley states, Donating my work to help others gives my life a true purpose James Randall tries to live by three rules Love than you re loved give than you take and leave it better than you found it All that is good inside of me, comes from my mother, states the artist and writer.In 2016, he moved to the foothills in Desert Hot Springs where he lives in an iconic Mid Century home He says, California suites me James Randall is presently completing his fourth book project, and spends his time between the desert, Los Angeles, and Laguna Beach.