Impressionist painter and sculpture, Jim Barker grew up in the farm country surrounded by timberlands, hidden trails, breathtaking vistas and meandering creeks. At an early age, impressions of the land around him began translating into pencil and charcoal drawings. He absorbed his surroundings and had a wonderful interest in learning everything he could about the expressions illuminated in the art of renown painters. Originally working as a sculptor in the commercial field, he created characters for Walt Disney, Peanuts and Star Wars. Later, he was commissioned to sculpt a bust of President Harry Truman for the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri.

    In recent years Jim has expanded his abilities as a painter into his bronze sculptures, utilizing the same movement, moods and flowing lines which can be viewed in his two-dimensional art paintings.