Jim Dooley was born in Hope, Arkansas in 1936. He moved to Texas as a young boy. While in his early twenties he became intrigued by the beauty of central and west Texas terrain and began painting as a spare time occupation. Entirely self-taught, his talent was quickly recognized by Texas' leading galleries.
The demand for his works grew so rapidly that he became a full time artist.
His works hand in the Austin National Bank, Capital National Bank of Houston and offices and home of renowned collectors and Supreme Court Justices.