Jim Franklin's Biography
Sculpting since 1980, Jim has completed many private and public commissions all over the country. In addition, many limited edition pieces of varied subject matter are in private and public collections. The majority of his work is cast in bronze using the age old “Lost Wax Bronze Process.” His primary sculptural interests are in full round life size and bas relief portrait commissions and life size human and animal figures. Jim has been sculpting portraits and other subject matter in full round and bas-relief for over 20 years. These portraits appear on memorial, commemorative and dedication plaques installed on and in public and private facilities in almost every state and several foreign countries. Below you will find a short and very incomplete list of some of the notable commissions Jim has completed,
Jim conducts sculpture workshops for individuals and organizations including Multi-Arts Center in Stillwater, OK, the Oklahoma Sculpture Society, Oklahoma State University in Oklahoma City and his studio on the square in Perry, OK. He is available for teaching and speaking. Jim has honed his talents under the guidance of many prominent figurative sculptors. Below you will find a list of many of his influences and mentors.
Since retiring from The Charles Machine Works (Ditch Witch), he established his studio on the Downtown Square in Perry, OK, where he continues to explore his passion for sculpture. An open invitation is offered to all to come sit a spell and discuss sculpture.
Jim is married to his long time friend Linda. They have 3 daughters and 6 grandchildren.
Jim conducts sculpture workshops for individuals and organizations including Multi-Arts Center in Stillwater, OK, the Oklahoma Sculpture Society, Oklahoma State University in Oklahoma City and his studio on the square in Perry, OK. He is available for teaching and speaking. Jim has honed his talents under the guidance of many prominent figurative sculptors. Below you will find a list of many of his influences and mentors.
Since retiring from The Charles Machine Works (Ditch Witch), he established his studio on the Downtown Square in Perry, OK, where he continues to explore his passion for sculpture. An open invitation is offered to all to come sit a spell and discuss sculpture.
Jim is married to his long time friend Linda. They have 3 daughters and 6 grandchildren.
Notable public Commissions and Installations:
1983 to present - The Spirit Award for BAMT, a bronze bald eagle
1985 - Larger-than-life size Bald Eagle in the foyer at the Builders Association of Metropolitan Tulsa in Tulsa, OK.
1990 to 2015 - Over 200 relief portraits for the Alabama Sports Hall Of Fame in Birmingham, AL
1996 to 2013 - Dr. Holloway, Dr. Haysbert and Dr. Smith bronze busts at Langston University in Langston, OK.
1997 - 64 Oil Pioneers, relief portraits The Conoco Walk of fame at the Natural History Museum at OU in Norman, OK.
2004 - Seven piece life size installation at the Choctaw County Library in Hugo, OK.
2006 & 2007 - Lloyd and James Waner portrait full rounds at the Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, OK.
2007 - Billy Sims , life-and-a-half size bronze installed at the OU campus in Norman, OK.
2009 - Past and Present - life size 2 figure installation at the Perry public library in Perry, OK.
2014 - West Edmond Field - larger than life size 20 foot tall installation at Mitch Park, in Edmond, OK.
Oklahoma State University 4 figure installation at the College of Vetrinary Medicine in Stillwater OK.
2015 - Gene Longworth life size at First Sonic Franchise location in Stillwater OK
2016 - Perry Wrestling Monument, Two life and a quarter sized wrestlers, Danny Hodge and Jack Vanbebber in Perry, OK
Significant Influences include:
• Paul Moore
• Bruno Lucchesi
•Richard McDonald
•Blair Buswell
•Lincoln Fox
•Eugene Daub
•Sandy Scott
•George Lundeen
•Tuck Langland
•Anthony Antonios
•Simon Kogan
•Phillipe Faraute
•Rosalind Cook
•Gary Hale.
• Paul Moore
• Bruno Lucchesi
•Richard McDonald
•Blair Buswell
•Lincoln Fox
•Eugene Daub
•Sandy Scott
•George Lundeen
•Tuck Langland
•Anthony Antonios
•Simon Kogan
•Phillipe Faraute
•Rosalind Cook
•Gary Hale.
Awards and Honors:
2014 - Oklahoma Sculpture Society Lifetime Achievement Award
1996, 2003 & 2012 - Medallion Sculptor, Oklahoma Sculpture Society
Member of:
OSS - Oklahoma Sculpture Society
NSS - National Sculpture Society
Stillwater Arts Guild
Jim would be happy to talk to you about your sculpting needs and planned projects. Call or email today to find out what he can do for you.
Website designed and managed by Artist Rahael Maxwell
