Jim has recently returned to his hometown of Buffalo, NY. Prior to that he lived in Chicago IL, Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan, Malaysia, Honolulu, HI and San Diego, CA. . After a two year stint in the Army, he received his BA in Art from Northeastern Illinois University. While in Chicago he worked as an artist/craftsman specializing in metalwork; he also earned a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Aikido and a Teachers Certificate in Ikinobo Ikibana (Japanese Flower Arrangement) having studied for six years with Mrs.Najkashima, a designated Japanese National Treasure. His love of sailing lead to a US Sail Instructor Certificate. Jim taught sailing part time with the Chicago Park District before being offered the Head Instructor position with the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Program which teaches people with disabilities to sail. Travel has always been a big part of Jim's life so when the opportunity arose he made a mid-life career change and became a sailor, working his way up the "Hawspipe", earning a 2nd Mate License along the way. His travels as a sailor and tourist have taken him around the globe. While traveling in Southeast Asia he met his wife Elsa, an accountant and avid traveler. Along with their daughter Maya they've traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia, North America and Europe. Jim began painting watercolor portraits shortly after their move to a small town on the South China Sea, using Elsa, Maya and Elsa's extended family as models. He currently sails between San Diego and the Hawaiian Islands. It was there that he developed an interest in the ukulele. Using You Tube as a tutor, he set up his own channel to document his progress and can be found at "TuanJimMarren's Channel". A life-long love of reading and storytelling, along with encouragement from family and friends, led him to begin writing his memoirs.
