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 Print "You Will Not Fail Us"
They’re known as “Leathernecks”, “Devil Dogs”, and “Grunts”. They take pride that every member of their corps is a rifleman. They thirst for combat and thrive in warfare.
They are tough, proud and remarkable, both in war and peace. They are professional, well trained in the martial arts and in the art of war. To the day they die, either on the field of combat, or decades later, they remain Marines.
This painting, by the renowned military artist, James Dietz, depicts the modern era Marine Corps. A period, which began during Vietnam, and continues through the global war on terrorism.
The inscriptions around the border of the painting are those slogans by which the Marine Corps has been known throughout its storied history.
From the beginning, “Don’t Tread On Me” of the 1700’s through to the current “Semper Fidelis”, that remarkable spirit holds true to the corps.
Despite the fact that it is the smallest service, and has had to fight constant battles to keep its independence and in fact it’s actual existence, from the Army, Navy and Air Force, the Corps has remained intact.
The central figures of the painting are two Marines in Dress Blues. The officer and NCO each hold their respective swords.
Certain figures in this artwork depict the ten-year war in Vietnam.With flack vests, helmets and green jungle utilities, and flight suit of Marine aviation. These new issues were lightweight, fast drying, and became standard issue along with the canvas and rubber soled jungle boot. Also,Marines wore the “Tiger Stripe” utilities. The basic M-14 rifle was quickly replaced with the oft-cursed M-16 “plastic” rifle. Lighter, carrying more ammo, the 5.56 cal. Stoner designed black rifle replaced the M-14 in 1967.
After Vietnam, the Marines did what they do best, learning from their past, and changing with an eye to the future. They became an “expeditionary” force, ranging to all corners of the globe.
In the 1990’s came the Persian Gulf War. Two Marine divisions fought in the desert. They went to war wearing the woodland pattern camouflage. Several figures in the painting wear that battle uniform. That combat uniform was soon replaced with a desert “chocolate chip” pattern design and a three-color desert pattern combo. Kevlar helmets had replaced the steel pots of WW-II and Vietnam.
For the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Marines were the first to design a digital desert pattern cammie uniform. By 2004, most of the Marines had changed their combat issue to the new design, which aided in defeating night vision devices.
Several Marines including the figure to the left of the dress Marines, aWarrant officer, carries the M-4 rifle. The M-4 and the Squad Automatic Rifle have replaced the M-16.
Next to the warrant is the venerable drill instructor. The D.I., with the trademark cover, represents the timeless memory of all Marines new to the Corps.
The lone woman Marine in the painting represents the 10% of the Corps, which is female. She wears the winter service green uniform.
A handler and Marine dog, kneel to the right of the painting. Dogs have been an integral part of Marine combat since WW-II.
The Marines, known as “No better friend, no worse enemy”, continue to be America’s premiere fighting force. Steeped in tradition, schooled in their history, ready to add the annals of honor, these are Marines!
Artist Proof, 12.5” x 25” image, 19” x 31” overall, limited to 100, signed by the artist - $400.00
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.
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