Our Story
No Ordinary Encounter began with just that: a fated meeting between two strangers, Mckenzie Tate Earley and James Oliver Jones Jr., at Revolution Cafe in San Francisco, California. Following a powerful impulse, both Mckenzie and James were led to the cafe, where a genuine friendship quickly blossomed.
One day, Mckenzie invited James to paint on a collaborative canvas, unaware that he was a highly successful international artist, whose accolades included many global solo-shows, being the first to paint on the Berlin Wall, and co-exhibiting with masters like Picasso and Miró.
That playful invitation reignited a love of painting in James after decades of heartbreak, while James, in turn, ignited in Mckenzie a deeper understanding of the value of her talent, supporting her growth.
This painting, "Can You See Us?," is the first collaborative work between Mckenzie and James. It now lives in a private collection in Nosara, Costa Rica.
Many evenings were spent in James’s living room, talking about matters of spirit and the world while gazing out at the beautifully lit hills of San Francisco and the moon. That exact vista became the inspiration for the No Ordinary Encounter logo—a bay window with the moon in view.
Their friendship evolved into a partnership that now spans 13+ years. Their journey is a powerful testament to the beauty that can be created when two people with different experiences and perspectives come together to make something more profound than they could have reached independently.
Today, Mckenzie and James show their personal and collaborative work around the world, sharing with others their passion for the empowering visions that they hold for life.
Collaborative Exhibitions
View Catalog of Available Work
We invite you to browse paintings directly through our online store.
Book a Private Viewing Experience
To enjoy paintings in-person, serious inquirers may reserve a private appointment for themselves or a small group at the No Ordinary Encounter viewing room, located in SoHo, New York City.