Born in Gateshead in 1935 Jim is a self taught artist. He started work at 15 years of age with a poster printing firm in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

After National Service he pursued a career in commercial and industrial art.

Self employed since 1970 he built up a range of clients which included British Steel, Jaeger, ICl and Vaux Breweries.

Now living in Cumbria he does some commercial work as well as painting lakeland scenes, humorous animal drawings and children