Jim Valentine is an automotive artist who creates spectacular mosaics. He grew up near Watkins Glen Racetrack and so began his passion for auto racing. His education includes a degree in electronic engineering and he worked for McDonald Douglas on jet fighter airplanes. After moving to California, he worked in art including photography, bronze metal sculptures, and stone carving. Jim even made golf putters where the head of the putter was a car. After a trip to Mexico, he got the idea to work in the medium of mosaics and after a trip to Home Depot to get a tile saw, he created his first art piece that sold right away. That was 16 years ago. Today, his Exotic Mosaics business features car marques and automotive images.
