First of a series: Jim

In February I was fortunate enough to be able to get a small studio in an old building that is being transformed into an art community called The ArtWorks. The big, one story, rambling red brick structure housed a shirt factory back in the nineteen-forties and fifties. It was empty when Jim and Betsy bought it close to twenty years ago, and they have used it for several businesses, the current one being art! I have enjoyed every moment spent there whether hanging out with my new friends, talking and sharing art, listening to beach music on the massive boombox, partying on Fourth Friday, or sitting quietly at my table piddling. So I am going to tell you more about it and the people there.

Most of the credit goes to Jim, the creative "genius" behind the concept, and he keeps coming up with great ideas.  He also is constantly busy. "Whether constructing walls, fixing pipes, promoting or encouraging, we all agree he is the hardest working guy we know. And when he talks about his goals, values, observations and priorities, we can see that he is one of the wisest. Jim is always there when we need him. What he enjoys doing in art is illustration and cartooning, but that is mostly for relaxation.

Another cool thing is we found out we went to the same high school, though he went only his senior year and is younger than me.

I hurriedly took this poor photo this evening. See the zebra on the shirt? That is an example of his support for us. One of the artists (will tell about her in another post) draws great pictures of African animals, and she has had T shirts made with them on the front. Jim said he bought ten!