James' grandfather gave him his first tool at the age of five and James would follow the old man around with a hammer in hand, clamoring to nail something or another. The very first things he built were forts and cabins in his Vermont backyard, only to take them apart and rebuild them, enjoying even at that young age the process of learning and refinement.

James has always loved the process involved in building and carving. One of the objectives of his career was to master the craft of woodworking which in turn provided him with more freedom and choice of what (and how) he can build and carve.

JBS' personal aesthetic is ever-changing. For a long time his choice was a marriage of form and function rooted in traditional techniques. He has evolved primarily into sculptural work because he feels this is where he can give more personality to a piece.

James' work has been shown at galleries and museums around the country and abroad and much of his work is currently owned by private collectors. His shows include The Fuller Museum of Art in Brockton, MA (please see Related Links,) the A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery in Fort Pierce, FL. , The Serendipity Gallery on Palm Beach, FL, The Boston Museum of Fine Arts (Permanent Collection.)