Jim holds an undergraduate degree in painting from the University of California and a teaching degree from the University of South Carolina. He taught school for four years before devoting himself full-time to glass. He is self-taught through trial and error, focusing primarily on contemporary organic forms influeced by Japanese craft and the American studio glass movement. His studio is in North Philadelphia in the old Atlas building, which houses various other artists and craftspeople. Studio visits are welcome and one-on-one lessons are offered.