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 Limited Edition Print "Sky Soldiers in Contact"
On September 11, 2001 the United States of America was attacked by terrorists. Al Qaeda and the Taliban found safe haven in Afghanistan. Our nation, at war, deployed units into Afghanistan to destroy Al Qaeda and remove the Taliban. Beginning in January of 2005, the 173rd Airborne Brigade was called in support of the Afghanistan mission, Operation Enduring Freedom VI.
The “Sky Soldiers” participating in Operation Enduring Freedom VI, consisted of Paratroopers, Soldiers and Airmen from, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry (Airborne), 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne), 74th Infantry Detachment (Long Range Surveillance), 173rd Support Battalion (Airborne), Delta Battery, 3rd Battalion, 319th (Airborne) Field Artillery Regiment, Combat Support Company, the 3rd Battalion, 319th (Airborne) Field Artillery Regiment of Fort Bragg, and embedded coalition partners from Romania, Canada, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. The Brigade worked in concert with several other partner nations and various US Army units including 3rd Special Forces Group, 7th Special Forces Group, elements of 1st Battalion, 325th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and Task Force Storm the multi purpose aviation task force. The Brigade and all of Combined Task Force (CTF) Bayonet were under the command of Colonel Kevin C. Owens, 173rd Airborne Brigade Commander, and Command Sergeant Major Arthur J. McCann III the Brigade Command Sergeant Major.
Spearheading the deployment in February 2005, Task Force Fury consisting of 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry (Airborne) and D Battery, 3rd Battalion, 319th (Airborne) Field Artillery Regiment, deployed in support of Regional Command East along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border basing their operations out of the Province of Paktika. The remainder of the Brigade deployed to Regional Command South based primarily out of Kandahar Airfield and operated from eighteen satellite bases spread across Zabol, Helmand, Oruzgan, and Kandahar Provinces. This entailed moving and sustaining the Brigade across tremendous distances by helicopter, vehicle and foot, as well as continuous decentralized operations at the platoon and squad level partnered with elements of the Afghan National Police and the 205th Corps from the Afghan National Army.
The “Sky Soldiers” helped to reconstruct and rebuild Afghanistan by ensuring a safe and secure election for the people of Afghanistan as they voted in the National Assembly Elections in Regional Command South and East. “Sky Soldiers” provided security and support for numerous Provincial Reconstruction Teams throughout the area of operations which helped to rebuild infrastructure and greatly enhanced the quality of life for all Afghans. The Brigade achieved several operational objectives during its twelve-month deployment to Afghanistan including the handover of Regional Command South to a multi-national Brigade led by the Canadian Army.
This print is dedicated to those Soldiers, both past and present, who served with and supported Combined Task Force Bayonet and The173rd Airborne Brigade. During Operation Enduring Freedom VI, 22 members of CTF Bayonet made the ultimate sacrifice during combat with insurgents and terrorists protecting Afghan citizens and preventing the return of oppression and tyranny to a devastated populace.
The aggressive spirit of the American paratrooper was evident in every operation CTF Bayonet executed. The “Sky Soldiers” gained and maintained the initiative living among the people, seizing terrain where the enemy once roamed freely, and conducting over 100 deliberate air assaults and over 400 cordon and searches resulting in numerous “troops-in-contact.” The call of “troops in contact” was heard frequently across the Brigade’s tactical satellite net meaning that “Sky Soldiers” had once again engaged the insurgents and the enemies of Freedom were about to pay a dear price. Thus, the name of the print –“Sky Soldiers in Contact.”
This 25 " by 12-1/2" 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.
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