Jim Thomas, Artist
Jim Thomas
(as seldom seen - in a suit)
Former member:
 
 

 

Newest Projects

Left: Foam point-up horse and rider for new Ft. Worth Stockyards Drover Hotel cast in bronze with a steer (not shown).

   Left: Proposal for a 10' tall, polished stainless steel cross featuring negative space (the cutouts) for the image. This is for Holy Family School.
  Left: Sterling silver pill dispensers for S. D. Booth company custom made from actual seashells.

Now Available!

Have you ever wondered about how Jim does what he does? Here's the full story. In a series of three books, Jim reveals how he casts and sells his artwork. The first two books, How to Sculpt for Bronze Casting and How to Cast Bronze Sculpture are now available and How to Sell Art will soon be available.
To order one or more E-books send a check to:
 
    Thomas Studio & Foundry
    10809 Crestview Dr.
    Jonestown, TX 78645
 
Include your mail and email address so we can send the book to you. Pricing is $12 for any one book, $18 for any two and $25 for all three.
 
The Texas Society of Architects has notified us that Jim has been awarded the Architectural Artisan of the Year award for 2019! Award dedications will be in Galveston in October and pictures of the event will be posted here.
   
Texas Capitol Hinge New Bronze and Teak Entry Door New Texas Goliad, Texas Longhorn

Bronze Longhorn sculpture life size

View an introductiom to bronze casting here (opens a new window).

Thomas Studio & Foundry specializes in designing, sculpting, casting, and fabricating fine public and private art including architectural art, liturgical art, fabrications, and casting bronze sculpture for other artists.

Since 1968, Jim Thomas has worked as an art bronze fondeur and sculptor.  Thomas has a small foundry and fabrication shop with skilled artisans. Larger casting and sculpture projects include the 5-story "Tree of Life" sculpted brick park in Cleveland, Ohio; the full scale cast bronze Chisholm Trail Commemorative park in Round Rock, Texas; the three-figure 12' cast bronze Vietnam Memorial by Tony Pham for a park in Bellaire - Houston, Texas; and six full scale cast bronze longhorn sculptures in Houston, Ft. Worth, El Paso, San Antonio, Abilene and Round Rock.

Recent large cast bronze sculptures include the Doc Peters Memorial at the Round Rock City Hall Plaza, the Coach Jim Mallon Memorial at the Southwest University baseball stadium in Georgetown, Texas (sculpted and cast by son James Shelby Thomas assisted by Bryan Vincent). Additional new large bronzes and architectural art include a scale and fourth Axis buck and doe for the entrance to the Mullen Ranch guest house at Mountain Home, Texas; the Jim Mallon Memorial at the Southwestern University baseball stadium in Georgetown, Texas; a half-scale Mountain Lion for the entry foyer at the new Cy-Fair Elementary School in Houstin, Texas;and a custom steel and Ipe (Brazilian Walnut) entry and door for a Westlake, Texas residence.  Recent large cast bronzes by other artists (see Foundry) include the six enlarged cast bronze Texas A&M Class Rings on display at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. 

Jim Thomas is a nationally published artist with numerous professional art association memberships, including Texas Society of Sculptors,Guild of Austin Architectural Artisans, Diocese of Austin.  Among the many awards won, Thomas is a three-time "Gold Medalist" of the Texas Cowboy Artist Association.  College training in earth sciences, chemistry, and metallurgy, combined with more than 43 years professional team experience with architects, engineers, government and private public art administrators are a foundation for his years of professional sculpting, art foundry, and metal fabrications experience.
Click any image below to see a larger view (will open in new window).
Right: Custom Rocky River Austin 4'x10' teak and bronze entry door including inlaid bronze ellipses, bronze door pull and lock plate. Miro Rivera Architects Austin, Joe Pinnelli contractor. Rocky River Bronze Entry Door Right: The University of Texas Golf Club at Steiner Ranch on Lake Austin has commissioned two full-scale bronze longhorns to be placed on the fairways and two more to be placed at a private residence on the golf course, complete with brands. University of Texas Golf Club. UT Longhorn
Below: Custom blue-patinated steel countertop and backsplash for a private Austin residence. Jobe Corral Architects Austin. Below: Jim Thomas "chasing" the wax foundry pattern for one of the University of Texas Golf Club full scale Texas Longhorn sculptures. The next step is a ceramic mold, mold burn out (lost wax casting), molten bronze pouring into the ceramic mold and final tig welding and cosmetics.
Custom steel countertop Chasing pattern for UT golf Longhorn
Right: Custom fir Texas State Capitol original entry doors donated to an Austin church library by Cal Varner of Austin. The original doors were purchased by Varner at the State Capitol auction after a 1983 fire and restored by Thomas Studio with replacement cast bronze hinges, locks and door knobs molded from undamaged door hardware. Capital Church Doors Right: Custom Red Cedar yard gates for a Lakeway Austin private residence with cnc-cut blue-patinated steel inserts matching the house garage doors.  
Left: Steel custom entry door with security glass lite for West Lake-Austin residence. Dalgleish Construction. Left: Copper pivoting door for new Rob Roy residence, Dalgleish Construction.
Right: Bronze handle Right: Custom Bronze door fittings
Below: Custom recycled compound curved African Tigerwood pivoting entry door for Westlake residence. Don Crowell Construction. Below: .Custom bronze porch door with bronze cames for Lake Austin residence entry door. Below: Custom bronze decoration for the door to the right. Below: Recycled Bald Cypress custom porch entry door with custom bronze hardware and wood leaded glass cames transom for Lake Austin residence. Don Crowell Construction
Below: Damaged cornice before replacement. Below: .Cornice as it looks after replacement. Below:  
 
Click here for other projects.