"Highway to Freedom" James Dietz Limited Edition 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 "Highway to Freedom"

In June 2007, 3-73 CAV Squadron arrived at Convoy Support Center (CSC) Scania, Iraq. The Squadrons Area of Operation included security of Main Supply Route Tampa, the main artery linking Kuwait to Baghdad and numerous outlying towns. The area also included a maze of irrigation canals and farmland. As soon as 3-73 CAV hit the ground at CSC Scania, the Squadron worked to establish a relationship with the local population, to establish local governance, civil military operations and local security.

3-73 CAV was charged with the responsibility of protecting CSC Scania from hostile threats. With local Iraqi Security Forces assisted numerous high value targets were either captured or killed. When 3-73 CAV first got boots on the ground indirect fire at CSC Scania was the number one threat with attacks averaging 3-4 times per week. By the end of the deployment attacks had become non-existent. 3-73 CAV took on the mission with securing 140KM of MSR Tampa. IED's and EFP's on MSR Tampa dramatically decreased over the course of the deployment. By the end of the deployment, the Squadron Area of operation had nearly tripled in size. With the assistance of local Iraqi Security Forces, (ISF) operations across the Hilla River swung into high gear. Local ISF began to take back the city of Hashiymah, Qasim, and Hamza.

3-73 CAV also fostered programs such as the Concerned Citizens Program. Throughout the AO Iraqis began to take charge for their own security and governance. Paratroopers in 3-73 CAV made a dramatic impact on the local citizens in both Babil and Diwanyiah provinces. The paratroopers of 3-73 CAV returned home with their heads held high knowing they accomplished the mission and honored the sacrifices of the men and women who came before them.

25" by 17" image size, 31" by 23.5" overall print - limited to 250 - signed by the artist - $175

This print is also available as:

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.