I was born and raised in Los Angeles as a native to the urban sprawl and the stars of Hollywood. As early as I can remember I was interested in the arts and dedicated my life to creativity at a very young age. Later, I was accepted in to the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) where I was immersed in an intense program of visual art taught by college professors. Four hours of each day was dedicated to art department studies, with a different class each day of the week.
Over my three year term with LACHSA I was able to study thirty classes over six semesters including 2d design, 3d design, advertising design, ceramics, drawing, illustration, painting, photography, print making and sculpture. Needless to say it changed my life and has molded me into the professional I am today. After graduating from high school I began working in various art departments for film productions. However, after 3 years of 16 hour days and working gig to gig I decided it would be best to have a more regular job plan. I began working for the American Cinematheque and the Laemmle Theatres which allowed me to make ends meet and still create in my own time. This also allowed me the freedom to then go back to school and obtain my B.S.. I now have a Bachelors of Science in Visual Communications from Westwood College. Westwood provided a concentrated curriculum of software education where I was able to bring my skills up to date with the current use of technology in my field of expertise. My software education consisted of 3D Studio Max, After Effects, Dreamweaver, Final Cut Pro, Flash, Illustrator, Photoshop and QuarkXPress. Continuing on my quest of creative endeavors in art and technology, www.overactiveimagination.com was created to showcase and promote my skills and those of my affiliates. Please enjoy your time here and feel free to contact us if you have any questions, creative or otherwise. Thank you for your time. James Bellows |