Jim Rittimann

(American, born 1951, died 2021)

Northwest artist Jim Rittimann (1951-2021) created intricate mixed media sculptures of imagined creatures, constructed from animal bones, feathers, and insect fragments. He notes, “I always like making artworks that play on both sides of your brain, that play on the rational side of how you look at things, and on the irrational side, not describable with words. It stirs the emotions and the imagination.”

Born and raised in Texas, Rittiman spent his early career working as a professional rodeo bull rider. He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from the University of Washington in Seattle. For over twenty years, he served as the head preparator and exhibition designer for the Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington in Seattle.