Co-signed by Joe Foss
James Dietz
The growing popularity of aviation art has brought before the public eye the works of a number of professional aviation artists. Among these one artist stands out for his unique approach to this genre. "The people, settings, and costumes are what make aviation history exciting and romantic to me." It is this feeling that makes James Dietz, and his artwork, so different from that of his contemporaries. Rather than simply illustrate aviation hardware, Dietz prefers to portray human involvement.
After graduation from Art Center College of Design in 1969, Jim began a successful career as a commercial illustrator in Los Angeles. The subject matter varied from automobiles to action scenes to romantic book covers. A steady flow of work from New York enabled the Dietz' to move to Seattle in 1978. It was at this time that he took his first concrete steps toward fulfilling his dream to specialize in aviation art, at that time an almost unheard of genre. Since then, aviation art has played an increasingly large part in his career. Jim Dietz's clients include Boeing, Bell Helicopter, Allison, and Flying Tigers, to name just a few.
Jim has also branched out into the fine arts field with his aviation art. A strong following has developed for his originals and a growing number of limited edition prints have introduced Jim's name to print collectors worldwide. Four of Jim's originals were put on display in the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Naval Aviation; one of the paintings was presented by the Navy League to then Secretary of the Navy, John Lehman. A regular contributor to the Air Force Art Program, Jim's work has been featured on the cover of AIR FORCE magazine.
Jim Dietz has been honored with several gold medals from the Los Angeles Society of Illustrators and has won Best in Show in three successive years in the EAA Aviation Art Show. In 1988, at the second American Society of Aviation Artists forum, Jim was awarded the "People's Choice Award" for his painting selected by forum attendees. Major showings of Dietz's originals have recently been held at the EAA Museum and the San Diego Air Museum. His work is found in a number of private and corporate collections.
James Dietz Signed & Numbered Artist Proof "Warm Reception"
Foss' Bluff Saves Guadalcanal
A tribute to proud Americans, this unique limited edition print is signed by the artist, and personally autographed by Joseph J. Foss, Capt., USMCR and three surviving members of Foss' Flying Circus VMF-121: W.B. "Bill" Freeman, Lt., USMCR; Thomas W. Furlow, Lt., USMCR; and Roger A. Haberman, Lt., USMCR.
In the South Pacific, WWII was fought in miserable conditions against overwhelming odds with minimum equipment, men, and supplies; generating real heros in all ranks. On Jan. 25, 1943, one such hero, Capt. Joe Foss, led his "Flying Circus" squadron of eight F4-F Wildcats plus four P-38 Lightnings in a "brilliant tactical maneuver" that saved Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. Forseeing a massive aerial enemy attack, Foss and his men flew out to meet an approaching armada of over 100 bombers and fighters and played hide-and-seek with them between cloud layers. Tricked into thinking they were outnumbered, the enemy planes eventually gave up and headed back up the slot toward their home bases on Bougainville and Munda.
Everyone at Hendersen was counting as the "Flying Circus" returned. Twelve had gone up and here were - three, five, six, nine, ten, twelve back! Lieutenant Colonel Sam Jack, Commanding officer of the fighter strip and himself one of the finest fighter pilots and aerial tacticians in the service, gathered the twelve pilots together as they climbed from their cockpits. What had happened?
It was Joe Foss all the way - Foss and his generalship. Colonel Jack, his superior, and the men who fought under him, said unanimously it was only his shrewd leadership and knowledge of combat tactics that saved the Americans and their precious airfield from a hail of destruction. It was Joe Foss's farewell to Guadalcanal.
When we landed, the story of what some called my "Tactical Brilliance" had already made its way around the base, and our tiny squadron was greeted with the kind of vehement appreciation that can only be shared in life-or-death combat. - Joe Foss
Artist Proof, 27" x 15-1/2", limited to 100, signed by the artist - $275
All Limited Edition prints are signed and numbered (S/N) by the artist. Limited Edition prints are restricted to a certain number. For example, if 400 prints are made from an original painting, once they’re gone, that’s it. There is no limit to the number of open edition prints of a particular painting. That’s why Limited Edition prints are more expensive — and more valuable to collectors — than "open" edition. Rare objects are more valuable.
An Artist’s Proof (AP), generally, is the first 5% - 10% of the Limited Edition prints that come off the press. This status is noted on the print. Collectors prefer APs because their value increases even more than a Limited Edition as time goes by.
All Limited Edition artwork is subject to availability at time of order. Although seller strives to remain currrent as to inventory, seller reserves the right to cancel a sale if item is no longer available at time of purchase.
Not logged in
Login Status