Jim Lewis - Kentucky Wood Carver

Born in 1948 in Kentucky. He was born into an extended family of well known,

and collected folk art carvers. His brothers and cousins, include Junior Lewis and

Tim Lewis. The encouragement of Minnie Adkins inspired Jim to begin carving, too.

He had worked as a heavy equipment operator before turning exclusively to his art.

He has a unique style of folk carvings. He makes a number of different animals. Jim

specializes in fish, whimsical birds, mermaids and his most popular subject…”Jonah

inside the belly of the whale”.

A gifted and self taught artist, Lewis uses local basswood and maple, for his carvings.

His creations are painted in acrylic and finished with polyurethane.