James B. Janknegt was born in Austin, Texas, USA. He attended art school at the University of Texas in Austin and graduated with a BFA in 1978. He left Texas and moved to Iowa City to attend graduate school. Upon graduating, with an MA and MFA in 1982, he moved back to Austin and began exhibiting his work in many galleries and museums around Texas and the United States. While in high school Jim became a Jesus Freak and sang in a folk group. The Janknegts converted to Catholicism in 2005 and were received into full communion in 2007. In 1998 the Janknegts moved from Austin to Elgin, Texas where they have an ArtFarm. Jim worked full time to pay the bills and painted in his off hours. He retired in 2015. When he is not painting he enjoys reading, building things, gardening, tending to animals and camping. He also enjoys watching movies and listening to music.