Artistic Passion
Jim graduated from the Columbus College of Art and Design and soon after started his career as an illustrator and designer working in advertising. He eventually formed his own studio where he worked on national ad campaigns for fortune 500 companies.
In 2020 Jim focused his creative passions on designing and building bonsai display tables. He pursues his craft with love and a desire for excellence. His bonsai tables are meant to compliment each tree while honoring traditional Japanese esthetics.
Jim was introduced to bonsai by his wife and bonsai potter, April Grigsby. They share a home and studio with two ill-behaved Chihuahuas in a small town south of Cleveland.
PROCESS
Before building any table I create drawings to scale to help visualize proportions and intricate design details. Once the design is established I select the right wood in rough form and begin cutting each piece to size and proper thickness. The process of building a table can take anywhere from a few days to weeks. Once the table is assembled it's sanded and sanded some more to get it ready for color and finish. I apply 6-7 layers of resin infused tung oil with sanding between coats to achieve a smooth, durable finish. I custom mix my finish because I prefer a sheen that is somewhere between a stain and a semi-gloss. The final two coats are sprayed on to ensure a smooth surface.