JIM BLOOM

Jim Bloom, 38 years old, is originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania. He now lives in Philadelphia after traveling around the country and staying briefly in Key West, Los Angeles and New York. While traveling around the country he became a “doodler”. As a young adult, he fell into a pattern of depression and anxiety. Later, he suffered a debilitating back injury as a result of an auto accident; he was also diagnosed with a neurological condition, dystonia, characterized by painful muscle contractions and balance and stamina problems.

Bloom moved from doodling to painting after he was diagnosed with dystonia. He paints in short spurts because this condition prevents him from working for sustained periods. He works on found or inexpensive objects, including wood and cardboard which he covers with acrylic house paint, cheap watercolors, crayons, markers, pencils, oil pastels or charcoal.

Bloom paints to express his emotions and to achieve a sense of purpose and fulfillment. His work reflects personal experiences, often sprinkled with dark humor. He invents technique to fulfill his need to express himself. Bloom exhibits regularly with Coalition Ingénu of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His work will soon be on view at Outsider Folk Art Gallery in Reading, Pennsylvania.