Jim Budish, originally from Colorado, initially pursued sculpture education at the Art Students League of Denver and the Loveland Academy of Fine Arts. However, he temporarily shifted his career to real estate development to support his family. It wasn't until he reached his 40s that Budish returned to his passion for sculpture. Budish's artistic focus is on capturing the essence of animals, aiming to convey their unique movement, emotion, or spirit rather than merely their physical appearance. Initially starting with representational sculptures, he later found greater satisfaction in capturing the distinctive attitudes and personalities of animals. A key theme in Budish's work is the concept of "Joie de Vivre," the joy of living, which he believes exists within all beings. His sculptures are known for their ability to evoke this spirit and emotion. Since 2000, Jim Budish's sculptures have gained significant recognition. His work has been awarded Best of Show, Best of Sculpture, or second place in Sculpture at 16 nationally recognized exhibitions. Beyond awards, Budish has numerous public and monumental installations across the United States and Europe, with his sculptures prominently displayed in various parks. Currently, Jim Budish operates his studio near Chicago, continuing to create sculptures that capture the vitality and individuality of animals, embodying the "Joie de Vivre" that he so passionately seeks to express.