Jim Foote was a resident biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for thirty years. Throughout that potion of his career he fostered an intimate knowledge of the wildlife subject matter he would produce in multiple mediums throughout his artistic career.

Essentially he was a self taught artist. Mentored in part by the Schmidt brothers as a decorative wildlife carver he won numerous Best of Shows in the professional class for his work in national shows including twice a World Champion in The Decorative Decoy Division Floating Class of the Ward Foundation World Championships.

Examples of his work are held in the permanent collection of the Ward Foundation Wildlife Museum. Following his success in carving he focused on acrylic and oil flatwork. Personally

publishing his own limited edition four color prints.

As a resident biologist and an avid Ruffed Grouse hunter he helped begin the extremely successful Grouse Enhanced Management Systems on the Michigan Public Hunting Preserves. He was commissioned to produce the work for the first Ruffed Grouse Society national stamp. An artists scholarship award sponsored by the Ruffed Grouse society bears his name.

His late artistic career focused on Ruffed Grouse hunting scenes and Ruffed Grouse in their natural habitat intimately portraying not only the Ruffed Grouse as the subject matter but the subtle nuances of their habitat. Carving of fish decoys late in his career were done more out of personal enjoyment than competitive or market driven demands.

Source/Submitted by: Edward Dednar