Jim's crests are Bear and Killerwhale, and he is a self-taught artist. In addition to the work that he sells to galleries, he has also been commissioned by various companies and organizations to complete projects for them. He has been influenced in his work by his older brothers and cousins. He is particularly skilled in carving and painting bent boxes. Beginning in 2007, Jim began experimenting with casting. He has recently created several cast pieces in copper and sterling silver, the designs of which originated from Jim's small-scale wood sculptures.