bio2

		BIOGRAPHY Jim was born in 1922, at Michichi, a hamlet 'miles from nowhere' in South Central Alberta. Raised on a farm north of Delia, Alberta, the loneliness and vastness of the prairies left indelible images on his young mind. At the age of 19 he moved to Calgary and fell in love with the foothills and mountains, which added another dimension on which to test his artistic skills. Most weekends were spent hiking the hills. In 1944 he moved to Windsor, Ontario, where he met Mr. C. H. Greenhow, a renowned artist in Southern Ontario, who freely shared his talent with Jim. Working as a draftsman, Jim developed a strong sense of detail, still evident in his work.
		1947 saw him return to Calgary when the oil industry was beginning to boom. In a few short years he became chief draftsman for a major oil company. Because of the pressures of work he found relaxation in pursuing his flair for art, working mostly with oils and acrylics. Later turning to watercolours, he found them to be much more challenging, and continues to work mostly in that medium.
		From 1969 to 1975, Jim lived in Toronto and travelled throughout Quebec and the Maritimes, collecting subject material and developing a broad appreciation for the diverse Canadian landscape. He particularly enjoyed frequent visits to the 'Group of Seven' Gallery at Kleinberg. Returning to the west in 1975, art became a more central theme in his life. After building a home and studio in Coleman, Alberta, in 1987-88, art become a fulltime occupation.
		TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS - generally Jim is a self taught artist - lessons & workshops at the Allied Arts Centre, Calgary, in the 1950's - April 1983 - 1 week workshop with Zoltan Szabo, an internationally known watercolour artist - May 1984 - 1 week workshop with Les Weisbrich, a watercolour artist of international acclaim - April 1998 - Leading Edge Workshop in watercolours with Brent Laycock In addition to taking workshops, Jim has given lessons in watercolour techniques in his studio, at Allied Arts Associations in the Crowsnest Pass, Pincher Creek, and for the Lethbridge Sketch Club.
		EXHIBITIONS Deloray Gallery - Olds, Coalminer's Gallery - Fernie, Scheck Gallery, Loading Bay Gallery, Art Show Gallery, Art Scope Gallery - Calgary Public Galleries: Allied Arts - Crowsnest, Pincher Creek, Bowman Art Gallery - Lethbridge, Community Gallery - Medicine Hat *Numerous juried art shows with the Federation of Canadian Artists - East Kootenay & Calgary Chapters Jim's works are hanging in the executive offices of Gulf Oil, Laurentian Bank, Westar Mining Mitsubishi (Japan), and Prococh Group, as well as in private collections in Toronto, Los Angeles, Calgary, & Edmonton. Jim is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and a member of Allied Arts Association in the Crowsnest Pass.