James Harrington was born in Queens, New York, to Irish immigrants. He is the youngest of seven children. He began his art education at the High School of Art & Design with Irwin Greenberg. He went on to the Art Students League where he studied with David Leffel and Harvey Dinnerstein. He also studied drawing with Sherrie McGraw. He received his MFA from Queens College. Currently, he teaches at the High School of Art & Design. He lives in NYC with his wife and daughter.