Jacksonville artist Jim Pearce has spent decades honoring Florida’s beauty first through conservation, now through art. A Vietnam veteran and Naval Academy graduate, Pearce moved to Florida in the early 1970s to help the state identify and protect environmentally endangered lands. That early connection to the landscape continues to shape his creative work today.
“I paint to capture the beauty and strength of fragile, natural, historical, and cultural treasures,” Pearce says. His artwork reflects a deep appreciation for place and memory. Though he works in many mediums, he is especially drawn to watercolor for its fluid, spontaneous nature. His style, which he describes as “fanciful realism,” blends detailed observation with artistic imagination, resulting in works that feel both grounded and dreamlike.
Pearce’s paintings have been featured in juried exhibitions across Florida and Georgia, including with the Jacksonville Artists’ Guild, the St. Augustine Art Association, and the First Coast Plein Air Painters. His work is also part of the Jacksonville Public Library’s Imagination Squared permanent collection. He has shown his art in diverse venues, from Starbucks in San Marco to Epping Forest Yacht Club, always with the belief that art belongs everywhere and not just in galleries.
Pearce lives and paints in San Marco with his wife, Mimi Sherman Pearce, a fellow artist and free spirit. Together, they share their work through a joint social media presence and champion the idea that art should be accessible, healing, and part of everyday life.
Windswept marshes and quiet corners of old Florida are attractive to Jim Pearce’s as his art invites viewers to slowdown and see the world with wonder. His brush doesn’t just paint landscapes, it preserves them, reminding us of the quiet magic that surrounds us. To view his work, visit mimijimart.com
