Growing up in a family of accomplished painters, Jim Ford developed a strong interest in the arts at an early age. While still very young, he learned about design, color and composition from his mother while learning the more academic studies of anatomy and proportion from his father. Jim Ford’s first experience with sculpting came while he was still in school where he discovered a natural aptitude for form and dimension.

Subsequent coursework at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, classes in sculpture at Western Illinois University and continuing participation with self-study figurative drawing groups have each allowed Jim to refine his natural born artistic skills.

Jim Ford’s sculpture combines his special love for the figure, pose and ethnicity of the Native American people. With each piece, the overall feeling is one of tranquil introspection, with a touch of tension...

“Who is out there?”
“Why do you take our land?”
“What will happen to my people?”

While he enjoys seeing the composition of each piece come together, his real passion is capturing the look and the quintessence of the people. Jim says that the best compliment he gets is from Native American people who tell him, “Your work looks like my people.”

In 1993 Jim won “Honorable Mention” at the George Phippen Memorial Day Show. One year later in 1994 at the very same show, he won an award for “Best of Show.”