A prominent Western painter, Jim Reynolds was known for his impressionistic paintings of the life of Old West cowboys. His works are in museum and private collections throughout the United States. He was a member of the National Academy of Western Artists. In 1992 at an exhibit at the (then) Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, OK, he swept the awards with his painting "Arizona Cowboys" —the only artist ever to win the prestigious Prix de West purchase award, the Nona Jean Hulsey Buyer's award and the Gold Medal for Best Painting.