James B. Janknegt was born in Austin, Texas. He attended public schools and was a part of the Saturday Morning Art Project at the University of Texas all through junior and high school...
Upon graduating with an MA and MFA in 1982 he moved back to Austin and began exhibiting his work at the Patrick Gallery. When the Patrick Gallery closed up shop he began to show with the Lyons Matrix Gallery until they too closed their doors. He also showed his work during this time in many galleries and museums around Texas...
While in high school Jim became a Jesus Freak and was a part of The Well, a trans-denominational coffee house where he painted murals on the walls and sang in the folk group.