Page 36 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2025 - Online Magazine

Jim Eppler:

Wildlife Artist

for Life and for Joy

by Jane Bromley

t is rare for Senior Link to run stories Jim has always
about two family members in one loved animals, even
Iissue, much less two with the same before his memory
name. James Eppler, Sr. would surely engaged. And his
be proud of both his son and grandson. love of drawing
This is the story of son, Jim, who has and sculpting them
earned respect as a wildlife artist began predictably
(both 2D and 3D) across the country. with crayons and Latest installation: The National Museum of Wildlife Art,
Jackson Hole, WY (09/08/25)
His work is displayed in galleries playdough. As for
throughout the U.S. and is featured in when he became Worrell's work who agreed to teach
the book Wildlife Art, 60 Contemporary a professional artist, he observes me. He and I attended Robert Wood's
Masters and Their Work (Portfolio Press) philosophically, “I guess, if you workshop in downtown Lubbock on
and in numerous magazines. His make something that someone else May 11, 1970. We were in the First
public installations include the Ronald buys, maybe you can say you're a National-Pioneer Building when the
Reagan Presidential Library, Frederik professional artist. I have always been tornado hit. He and I buddied up and
Meijer Gardens, South Plains Wildlife uncomfortable calling myself an artist. made it home. Two days later, Bill
Rehab Center, National Ranching It feels like an awfully noble title to invited me to go on a painting trip
Heritage Museum, Booth Museum, give yourself, but there is nothing to to Big Bend.” That trip was pivotal
West Texas Museum Collection, keep you from striving towards it. in Jim’s journey and the beginning of
the Benson Sculpture Garden, The lifelong friendships with Worrell and
Virginia Museum of Animal Art, and “My parents never discouraged me. artist Spider Johnson. Another early
the National Museum of Wildlife They bought me art supplies when I influencer and lifelong friend is Paul
Art, along with numerous private was very young and allowed me to Milosevich. “I learned a lot from him
collections. major in Fine Art at Texas Tech. I'm and many others like Charles Reed
not sure they ever thought I would
Jim is passionate as an artist but make a living at it.” When local and Bob Kuhn.”
reluctant and self-deprecating when watercolor artist Dick Cheatham After Jim graduated, he had no
telling his story. He describes his came to Monterey High School, “his access to kilns, so he taught himself
journey to success as “unpredictable,” presentation blew my mind.” At Tech, taxidermy, which he did for several
making it intriguing and even Professor Steve Reynolds was the years. “It was very hands on” and a
inspiring. He recounts “ups and reason he chose 3D (Ceramics—"not beneficial chapter in mastering animal
downs” and moments of “losing hope pots, but little sculptures.”) anatomy.
but carrying on.” His perseverance
through highs and lows has paid off on “Someone encouraged me to frequent Jim’s professional art career was
many levels which should encourage local galleries if I wanted to learn launched in fits and starts. “I was not
the most fainthearted among us. more. I was attracted to artist Bill very ambitious, but I was persistent.

36 Lubbock Senior Link