Jim grew up in Santa Fe realizing early while in High School that he loved the art of wood carving.  As the son of a teacher, he also realized the importance of an education and obtained a degree in Latin American History with a double minor in Spanish and Anthropology.  Two years of schooling were spent in Guadalajara and he studied with Nora Hall of the Anderson Ranch Art Center At Snowmass.  Currently, Jim continues to share his wood carving expertise with others at the Santa Fe Community College where he has been an instructor since 1981. 

His personal life experiences have been diverse and rewarding as well.  He worked as a park ranger in Arizona, won a 1984 contest at the Pecos Monument, carved doors for the regional Headquarters for National Parks, and completed numerous commissions for private homes throughout New Mexico.

Jim enjoys Tai Chi, frequently visits  the Santa Fe Plaza, and takes Frank Turley blacksmith classes to continue in his knowledge of welding and hardware designing for some of his works.  Mostly, he enjoys being the master wood carving artist he has become.