James "Bud" Bottoms is a native Californian who lives in Santa Barbara by the Pacific Ocean. Although much of his sculpture is inspired by the sea and its mammals, he often combines them with humans to express our essential inter-relationship. He has the unique artistry to capture their playful spirit in everlasting bronze.

Many of his other bronze creations are inspired by his experiences as a father and grandfather, and he delights in using his grandchildren as models frolicking on dolphins, sea lions, and turtles.

His fascination for earth's creatures leads him to sculpt snails to condors -- wherever he finds inspiration and beauty. This naturally evolved into environmental activism to help preserve the earth for its own sake and for future generations.

Bottoms is internationally famous for his fountains and monuments in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Tokyo and Toba City, Japan; and Dingle, Ireland. Nationally, they can be found in Los Angeles at the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children; the Long Beach Aquarium; Monterey Plaza Hotel; Malibu's Michael Landon Park; Oahu, HI and as Santa Barbara's ocean front landmark. Also, the Alaska Air crash memorial at Pt. Hueneme, CA.

His small sculptures are found in galleries in California, Hawaii, Florida and Massachusetts.

Though primarily a sculptor, he has recently tried his talent at authoring and illustrating children's books (see www.kidethics.com).

For more information, contact budbottoms@aol.com.