Jim moved to Rockbridge County with his wife, Pat, after a career of 26 years in the Army.

He made his first candles in the ‘60's as Christmas presents, but his hobby didn't begin in earnest until 1969 in Albuquerque, NM (His bowling ball mold and twisted golf tube era).  He picked up activity again in 1974 at Ft Belvoir where his front yard was a beach and was full of driftwood.

Military duties and other activities caused a long break in candlemaking until August of 2000, when he began to practice his beloved hobby in earnest.  Jim still can make many different types of candles, but sandcast candles using driftwood and other natrual materials, are his favorite. 

His latest work has been encaustic painting and photography.