Former Sequoia tri-sport athlete embraces art: Lindsay James has turned to painting to fill ‘athletic hangover’

“A lot of women go through it,” said James, 30. “To say life changed would be an understatement. Your whole lives you’ve been training and you have regimented schedule. Once you’re done, you have this empty feeling. For the past 10 years or so I’ve being really trying to figure out that passion void.”

Greece asked for athletes with Greek heritage to come play for the women’s softball team in the Olympics. She got expedited dual citizenship and pioneered the sport of softball in Greece.

“I closed the book when I graduated from Berkeley,” she said. “There’s not a lot of things for female athletes to do once you reach the pinnacle.”

She dabbled in coaching girls softball, but found it didn’t really fulfill her like she thought it would.

“I was drafted into the pro league, but it didn’t sound very appealing,” James said.

Currently, she is working in special education at The Bridge School in Hillsborough, while painting part time. She even cut her schedule back at school this year, so she could paint every single day. She is completing her credential and master’s in special education at Notre Dame De Namur University in spring 2015 and is moved back to hometown of San Carlos.

At Berkeley, she majored in social welfare, while minoring in art history. Famous artists such as Vincent Van Gogh’s and Henri Matisse’s use of shapes, colors, and fluidity have heavily influenced Lindsay’s style.

“My work is bright, colorful, impressionistic and can be inspired by anything,” she said.

Her future plans include creating a nonprofit art program for adults with disabilities.

“Working at The Bridge School has been a great experience; I’ve been doing art in the classroom with the kids,” she said. “Especially working with adults, there’s hardly any programs for adults with disabilities.”

Softball is still a part of her life in some ways though. She plays slow pitch co-ed softball these days and even met her husband while playing.

James’ work will be on display, and for sale, Dec. 3 at Granara’s Flowers, 1682 El Camino Real in San Carlos. She will also host a pop-up shop Dec. 11 and 12 at Empire Vintage, 831 Villa St. in Mountain View.

She uses social media to help her advertise and sell her paintings. Go to facebook.com/lindsaydotart or search lindsaydotart on Instagram to check out her work. Also visit lindsaydotart.com for more information.

angela@smdailyjournal.com

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