Jim is mainly a self taught engraver. He started the learning process in 1978 with the attendance at a NRA sponsored engraving program. He finally realized his goal of engraving full time in 1993.

His preference is to work on custom guns and knives. He also does engraved prints, doing the actual printmaking himself.

Jim does several types of scrolls, preferring to give the leaves of the scroll life through shading and light relief.

He enjoys engraving animals in a bulino-banknote combination and also in sculptured deep relief. He also does precious metal inlays.