If Jim Koehn’s paintings feel familiar at first glance, it is because they are places you’ve been or have been meaning to visit. His work centers on Houston’s most recognizable locations and are about memories, connections, and the places that shape the city.
“All of my paintings are of places that I have a direct connection to in some way since arriving in Houston back in 1981,” he says. “I’ve heard my art described as stylized realism, nostalgic, idealized realism, and others. I find myself typically referring to my artistic style as stylized realism.”
That personal tie often determines what makes a piece meaningful. One recent painting of the Hobbit Cafe is a favorite for several reasons. “I painted this one because I have lots of great memories of taking my daughters there. I'm very pleased with how the finished painting turned out, and the response from people has been great.”
That combination of personal history and the public’s response helps to shape much of his work. Some pieces resonate because of technical execution, others because they allow viewers to reflect on their own memories of that particular location.
Koehn’s process is methodical and based on years of experience. “After deciding on which place I want to paint, I generally do as much research as I can to find out what year that place opened, any interesting history to go along with my own story.” He relies on reference photos, but he also revisits locations as he is painting, sometimes just to reconnect. From there, the work moves from pencil sketch to ink drawing, then watercolor. Each piece of art shows small architectural and environmental details that make it precise while still maintaining a bit of whimsy.
One of the biggest decisions in Koehn’s artistic process is not about the paintings themselves, but deciding what is going to come next. “One of my biggest decisions in the creative process is narrowing down which place I want to paint next,” he says. “I have so many places that I want to add to this collection that picking my next painting is sometimes the most challenging part. That and finding the time to work on all the paintings I hope to get to.”
His work is available both online and in stores around the city. “The best way to see all of my paintings is on my Etsy site,” he says. For those who want to choose a piece in person, Koehn is a regular exhibitor at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Bayou City Art Festival, and the Nutcracker Market. Those in-person interactions matter. “It’s always great to get out and meet people at shows, talk about art, and talk about all the unique places that make Houston such a great city.”
In the end, Koehn’s work is less about buildings and more about what they hold. Each painting is a record of time, place, and the memories people attach to both. jimkoehn.com
All of my paintings are of places that I have a direct connection to in some way since arriving in Houston back in 1981.