James Troutman

James Troutman is a Michigan artist and member of the Grand Valley Artists Association.

When Jim is creating a sculpture, he visualizes a particular form in a piece of stone and develops a vision from the grain and unique color formation in the stone. He sculpts the stone to release his vision from within the stone. Sculptures are created from rough soapstone or alabaster mined from a quarry.

Tools used in his sculpting are wood carving tools, rasps, gouges, files and chisels. The finishing process requires hand sanding the form to a fine finish then waxing and polishing to bring out the warmth and beauty of the stone.

Jim’s inspirations for wildlife sculptures have come from travels to South Africa, Alaska, the United States and around the world.