James has been creating works of art since 1965. Just like his own great-grandfather, he spent much of his childhood drawing, painting and sculpting on a small Ohio farm. As he grew, his love of fossils and prehistory led him to the field of geology. Along with coursework in the sciences, he enjoyed classes in art. He graduated from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio with a BA in geology.
James found sharing his knowledge with young people to be especially fulfilling. After several positions as a nature educator, James went back to pursue his Masters Degree in Education in 1987. He currently teaches high school science. He continued to paint and sculpt, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, John Hautz. James enjoys having many of his sculptures cast in bronze because of its permanence and ability to capture detail. He continues to discover new and exciting subjects for his bronze works. James’ works showcase his lifelong interest in prehistoric creatures, his knowledge of sciences and his love of fantasy.