Sculpting since 1980, award-winning sculptor Jim Franklin has completed numerous private and public commissions consisting of full round and bas relief portraiture and wildlife in both hot and cold cast bronze. The majority of his work is cast in bronze employing the "Lost Wax Bronze Process."

In 2001, Jim moved his studio from his home basement into a 2,000 sq ft studio and showroom on the historic downtown square in Perry. Jim has also completed many bas relief portraits of prominent individuals that are part of commemorative, dedication and memorial plaques installed in many states and international locations as well. Guests who stop by the Perry Wrestling Monument Park can see wrestler statues Jim created, as well.

Jim has studied and honed his craft under the guidance of many prominent figurative sculptors including Bruno Lucchesi, Richard McDonald, Blair Buswell and George Lundeen through workshops at the Scottsdale Artists School in Scottsdale, Arizona and the Loveland Academy of Fine Arts in Loveland, Colorado.

Jim Franklin uses the process of lost-wax casting, a process in which bronze is cast from his sculpture. Jim uses wet clay to create a cast, pours a wax from the cast of the clay and then finally casts the bronze from the wax.