All about Jim

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Jim and his wife Jeri were married in 1956 and have lived in their home for the last 40+ years and Jim has the nice sized shop/studio right out back.  Jim was employed as an illustrator in the Graphic Arts Department for McDonnell Aircraft for 12 years.  Then he decided to start his own business and for next 25 years Jim and his wife, owned and operated an engineered truss manufacturing business in Dexter, MO.  They designed and built roof trusses for the builders in the area and even the trusses in his shop came right from their own business (talk about handy).  Jim and Jeri have 3 children; Dean, Kim and Dana…who together, have supplied them with 7 grandchildren (5 boys and 2 girls). Their oldest, Dean, is a very active member of his local woodturning club in California and Grandpa getting the grandchildren started with turning as well!

Jim started wood turning approximately 1986 and around 2004 he started making his versions of Native American baskets.  He always had a high appreciation for Native American pottery and while browsing magazines at Barnes & Noble, he discovered an article about early Native American baskets.  Being of a creative nature, Jim pondered how he might try to replicate those baskets in wood. The first 3-4 attempts were “total failures”, but he wasn’t discouraged to stop trying.  Jim’s method, now refined to perfection, creates vessels so realistic looking that even renowned wood turner, David Ellsworth, singled out one of Jim’s pieces in the Instant Gallery at the AAW Symposium in St. Paul and commented that until you picked it up, a person couldn’t tell that it wasn’t a woven basket.  That piece was selected for an Instant Gallery professional critique.  Something that Jim remarks as a very proud moment in his turning career.

Jim’s basket forms include his versions of Apache, Pima, Chemehuevis and Kitanemuk tribe designs. Jim is particularly fond of the style of the Washo tribe (from maker Louisa Keyser).

Jim has done various demos and hands on classes, as well as personal mentoring and instruction at his home studio. Jim is a regular teacher at the Arkansas Craft School in Mountain Home, AR.  Jim’s work can been seen at the various wood turning symposiums and in the collections of the art lovers across the country.

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