Unassuming at first, James is the kind of person you get to know slowly. Beneath a reserved exterior is a wicked sense of humor, a fiercely curious mind, and a remarkable kindness. For the past 20 years at Bollinger Atelier, he has brought all of that to his work as our lead metal chaser, approaching his craft with the same diligence that he brings to everything else. He is generous with what he knows, always willing to teach, and just as willing to keep learning himself. James is an exceptionally skilled artisan, a creative problem-solver, and, fortunately for me, a friend. After 20 years working here, he (finally!) agreed to an interview. There is still more to learn about James, but there is one thing I know for certain: Bollinger Atelier is better for having him here.

BA: What started your interest in arts/sculpture?

James: Oh dang! Easy questions first. Awesome. Ever since I could pick up a pencil, art was being created. Soon after that I had access to clay and plaster, not to mention building objects from junk found in the backyard. Growing up poor, it was amazing to me… Making beauty and luxury from nothing.  This was all before ever having an instructor.

BA: Ooh, what was your first instructor like? Or favorite?

James: I think I have to say in 10th grade, Mr. Scott was my first real art instructor at Mesa High School. That class was for jewelry making, but he was also a fantastic saddle maker. That time really set the course of my life. Truly, I’ve had plenty of instructors that stifled creativity and growth so I feel privileged that my most recent instructor, Sam Baar at the Miner’s Rock Shop in Tempe, has been my all time favorite. I took a couple precision gemstone cutting classes from Sam, and I can tell you – both his expertise and character are inspiring!

BA: How did you first start working at Bollinger? How’d you discover the company?

James: Oh, this is silly, even 20 years ago an ad in the paper seemed strange. A couple years out of highschool, my twin sister “clipped” the ad for me, with my high school jewelry background I never thought I had a chance at something so prestigious! …First month was cutting grass, sweeping, and hammering ceramic shell off of castings in 100 plus heat.

BA: Wow, you really have done a little bit of everything here… But I’m sure you found your stride in the metal shop sooner than later. Did you discover your talent for art by making work here, or did you seek out a creative job because you already loved the process of creating art?

James: Literally no other path, creativity and discovery have always been an endless way to learn more. I feel like many STEAM fields are this way, exploring art felt like a way to all STEAM, with heightened exploration and storytelling.

BA: Speaking of storytelling. You’ve kind of become the unofficial book curator for us here. What’s something you’ve read lately that you loved?

James: That’s probably more credit than I’m due, I started growing our small library of related technical books and shared a list of inspiring works of fiction. Since then others have added to both and now there’s even a bingo themed book club.

BA: What piece has been your favorite to work on, and why? (Yes, you can pick more than one).

James: Now this is a complicated question, could be tomorrow I might have a different answer.  Two that often draw me back are any of Carole Feuerman‘s life cast pieces (the detail is amazing, sure fingerprints and pores but also impressions in the skin where the swimwear has shifted.

Also…

 Xu Bing‘s bronze Phoenix birds.

… As a jeweler it’s a playground of craft and technique, so many parts, so many skill sets and the piece itself reminds me of growing up… making art with whatever could be found.

BA: What piece taught you the most?

James: Tom Otterness‘ Big Boy Playground is an easy one because I was so new to the craft at this scale, but truly, there’s something to learn with every piece of sculpture. I think being a craftsman in a specialized field anyone is going to try to push their own works further either to explore or to be ready for the next challenge.

BA: What have you picked up from working here that has found its way into your own art practice?

James: Hmmm that’s a thinker… style, aesthetic, the desire to make magic is all the same. I would say, hand in hand, I can now push more technical boundaries blending jewelry and sculpture.  Thinking big on this scale is certainly wild and different. Kat?

BA: I have to agree with thinking about scale differently… I really love seeing how you’ve combined the finesse and detail from jewelry making and stone cutting and polishing, and kept all of that consistent at a larger size. It’s already difficult enough to do well when you’re working small!

Tell me more about your art practice in general. What inspires you? How do you know you’ve got an idea that should be a drawing/painting vs. a 3D piece?

James: All depends, all depends. Ideas happen all the time but what I keep asking is “do I have the time?” Or similarly, “is this worth the time I have?” I find I have my best works and ideas when my emotions or sense of community are highest.

BA: I can’t take the credit for coming up with this question, but it was too funny not to include. Being that we’re in the Southwest… How many horse sculptures is too many?

James: One a month might be fine, one a week is fucked.

BA: What’s something unexpected you learned about fine art sculpture when you started working at a foundry?

James: There’s plenty of surprises! The one I can most accurately communicate is learning how diverse my fellow craftsman and artisan colleges can be. It’s wonderful to witness how a multitude of backgrounds enrich our collective expertise and quality.

BA: What are your favorite quirks about the Mulberry metal shop?

James: Oh, easy. Do you think “family” can be a quirk?

We’ve had some activity driven bingo events but also getting cakes to celebrate each other is heart warming.

BA: What advice would you give to your younger self as an artist and artisan? How about advice you’d give to someone wanting to work somewhere like this?

James: Read more books, honestly. I did it less then and a lot more now. That’s what it comes down to for a variety of reasons, whether it be walking in someone else’s shoes or learning more about a science and field that you’re interested in.

BA: Do you have any favorite moments or stories from working here over the last 20 years?

James: In this field the stories make themselves on the daily whether it be when something goes wrong and it’s a beautiful happy accident, or when they go right and it’s a huge feat of achievement. My absolute favorites are always going to be when a group of people come together and have that shared love for what we’re doing.