"Lions of Salah ad Din" James Dietz Task Force Black Lion Print

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 Limited Edition Print "Lions of Salah ad Din"

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment (Task Force Black Lion) are halted while conducting a joint patrol in the streets of Samarra during the heat of the Iraqi summer. The Soldiers frequently conduct joint patrols inside the city in order to meet with key leaders, inspect on-going reconstruction projects, respond to IEDs and small arms attacks, and investigate purported weapons caches. The patrol is accompanied by our Iraqi Security Force partners. As part of the mission to advise and assist the ISF, 1-28IN Soldiers (representing members of Attack, Battle, Combat, Destroyer, Excalibur and Hunter Companies) work alongside their Iraqi counterparts in all facets of daily life. They carry only the essentials (ACUs, Boots, Kevlar Helmet, Gloves, Eye Protection, Knee Pads, Interceptor Body Armor, Magazine Pouches, Radio Pouches, Utility Pouches, Water Source, M4's, M203's, M249's, M9's, and M14's) as they live and work out of a nearby Joint Coordination Center along with their ISF counterparts (Blue variant of ACUs; AK-47's; Mix of Patrol Caps, Berets, and Kevlar Helmets; and Assorted Equipment Bearing Vests). The platoon moves in a platoon column with squads in trailing wedges and ISF interspersed throughout the formation. An ISF pickup truck (Ford F-150) with a heavy weapongunner(PKM) trails the patrol ready to assist with blocking traffic and evacuating a casualty if required. OH-58s (Kiowas) fly overhead, providing over-watch, while staying away from airspace directly over the Al-Askari Shrine (Golden Mosque). Despite the threats that exist all around them, the citizens of Samarra are out on the streets conducting business as usual. Few, mostly children, even pay much attention to the patrol as they have grown accustomed to seeing US Forces. Most people are either indifferent or happy to see US and Iraqi Soldiers securing their streets, but the occasional scowl can be seen. Most of the Soldiers smile and are respectful of local Iraqis while remaining vigilant for any sign of trouble. A rifleman pulls security at an intersection and scans the rooftops of blown out buildings for any threats. A squad leader issues instructions to his team leaders regarding a change in the patrol route. The streets of Samarra are still marred from years of fighting when the city was on the verge of complete destruction as is evidenced by the rubble, trash, and pock-marked walls. The Al-Askari Shrine (Golden Mosque of Samarra) can be seen in the background. The Mosque continues to be put back together following the bombings that brought it down and touched off sectarian violence all over Iraq in 2006 and 2007. There exists a definite parallel between the Mosque's repair status and Samarra's reconstruction progress. Although the Mosque is now standing and continues to be repaired, more work remains. Soon, with continued efforts from US Forces and the Government of Iraq, Samarra too will be rebuilt to its former glory and economic/historical and iconic status in the region.

This 24.75" by 14.50" image size print, limited to 250, is signed by the artist.

This print is also available as an Artist Proof (limited to 100) - $200

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.