James Dietz Biography
The rising popularity of aviation art has drawn the public's eye to a number of professional artists. Among these, one stands out because of his unusualview of this genre. "The people, their costumes, and their surroundings are what make historic aviation so exciting and romantic to me."It is this feeling that so distinguishes Jim Dietz and his art from his contemporaries.
Rather than simply illustrating aviation objects, Jim prefers to portray the human activities involved.
After graduating from the Art Center College of Design in 1969, Jim began a successful career as a professional draftsman in Los Angeles. The work varied from automobiles to action scenes to romantic book covers. Regular commissions from New York allowed him and his family to settle in Seattle in 1978. It was during this time that Jim took the first steps toward fulfilling his dream of specializing in aeronautical art - an almost unknown genre at the time. Since that time, aerial art has played an ever-growing part in his career. Among Jim's clients are household names such as Boeing, Bell Helicopter, Allison, and the Flying Tigers, to name a few.
Jim's aeronautical art has long since found its way into the realm of fine art. His originals are growing in popularity and an increasing number of limited edition fine art prints have made his name known among fine art print collectors around the world. Four of Jim's paintings were exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air & Space Museum in celebration of the 75th anniversary of naval aviation. A regular participant in the "Air Force Art" Program, his work has also appeared on the covers of Air Force magazine.
Jim has been honored with several gold medals from the Los Angeles Society of Illustrators and was named Best Artist at the Experimental Aircraft Association Art Show for three consecutive years. In 1988, visitors to the second American Association of Aviation Artists Forum selected Jim's work for the Best Exhibited Painting award. More recently, extensive exhibitions of Jim's originals have been held at the EAA Museum and the San Diego Aviation Museum. His work can also be found in a number of private and corporate collections.
