James Plaxco

About James Plaxco

Jim Plaxco is a digital artist and creative coder specializing in algorithmic and generative art, astronomical/planetary image processing, abstract art, and alternative portraiture. His digital art tools include photography, 2D and 3D graphics software as well as graphics software of his own design. A portion of Jim\'s work can be seen at with information on commissioned art available at a Solar System Ambassador for the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Jim has used his artistic and image processing skills to create astronomical and planetary images using data from a variety of space missions to illustrate his educational presentations. In addition to creating art, Jim has judged multiple space art contests for NASA, International Academy of Astronautics, and the National Space Society. Jim currently serves as President of the Chicago Society for Space Studies and is a former Vice President of the National Space Society. He speaks regularly on a variety of space policy and commercial space topics.Jim is also a programmer with expertise in web design, data analysis, data visualization, database design, image processing, network design, SEO, and Wordpress. Programming languages include C, C++, CSS, HTML, JAVA, JCL, ISPF, P5JS, Processing, Python, R, SAS, SQL, and REXX. Jim is a frequent lecturer on the subjects of algorithmic art, digital art, space art, generative art, social media, web design, space exploration, space policy, commercial space, planetary science, astronomy, and image processing as it relates to planetary science missions and astronomical science (Jim has taught astronomical image processing as a Guest Lecturer at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago).

Experience

1. Solar System Ambassador

   NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

   Jan 2001 — Present

   As a NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador, I provide educational presentations above various NASA JPL planetary missions. My primary area of expertise is Mars and robotic missions to Mars.

Education

• Northern Illinois University

  BS, Economics

• Northern Illinois University

  MS, Computer Science

  1978 — 1985

Skills

• Openoffice
• Nonprofits
• Css
• Fine Art Photography
• Entrepreneurship
• Illustrator
• Wordpress
• Astronomy
• Astronomical Image Processing
• Sas
• Graphics
• Html + Css
• Public Speaking
• Data Analysis
• Image Editing
• Drawing
• Photography
• Image Processing
• Web Development
• C++
• SEO
• Publishing
• Art
• New Media Art
• Digital Art
• Image Manipulation
• Processing
• Web Design
• Fine Art
• Multimedia
• Painting
• Social Media
• Databases
• Computer Graphics
• Photoshop
• Algorithmic Art
• Technical Writing
• Digital Photography
• Html
• 3d