Jim attended Fort Bragg schools and graduated in 1958. He and his wife of 56 years married soon after. Jim painted his first picture at 9 years and taught art to the third grade when he was in high school.

Like many artists, Jim put his art career on hold for years while busy pursuing other ventures to support his family.

Beginning in 1962, Jim and Dot had four businesses including the first one-stop building supply in Mendocino County, a gold mine, a pump & water system company, and a heating business.

In 1999, Jim began painting full time and began marketing his work. He has had art in galleries in Palm Desert, Ca., Fort Bragg, Ca., Newport, Oregon, and Ukiah, Ca.

Believing that emerging and mid-level artists need an outlet for their work, Jim helped form the Ukiah Valley Artists Co-Op, a cooperative of 15 local artists. Together they sponsor The Annual Art Faire, Artoberfest, the annual art show, and the annual artists StudioTour. In addition, the UVAC maintains their gallery in the Pear Tree Center.