Originally from Cronulla Beach, James McMillan is a self-taught, multi-disciplinary artist with over three decades of experience. Following his father Kenneth's artistic legacy, James began nurturing his art practice from his early teens. After inheriting his father's homemade brushes and oils at the age of 18, he quickly discovered his preference for acrylics, incorporating them into his favored mode of expression along with ink, spray paint, pencil, and oil sticks.

In 2006, following the successful publication of his book "Blue Yonder," James relocated to Byron Bay, establishing a live-in studio in the mountains behind Mullumbimby. During this period, he embarked on his popular Waterbird paintings, featuring large-scale pop-surrealist landscapes, which earned him representation in Retrospect Galleries Australia and The Greenroom Gallery in Tokyo, Japan.

More recently, James has ventured in a new direction, approaching his larger-scale works in a more impulsive, less structured manner, incorporating his unique iconography, symbolism, and stylized fonting. Drawing from personal experiences and curiosities around human conditioning, spirituality, nature, religion, life, and death, this new body of work represents an evolution in the artist's oeuvre, showcasing his growth, artistic exploration, and vulnerability to venture into new painting territory.

Beyond the visual arts, James is the Founder and Creative Director of the Byron Bay Surf Festival (2010). He has completed various major projects, including his book and short film, festival murals, numerous zines, along with commercial work for brands like Dr. Bronner's, Levis, Stone & Wood beer, Surfrider Foundation Australia, Volcom clothing, and Hurley. His paintings and photography have been exhibited in solo and group shows in Sydney, Tokyo, LA, San Francisco, Texas, Hawaii, and Byron Bay.