About Jim DeWitt

Art has always been my first love.

Thankfully, I've gained recognition for my paintings of racing sailboats.  A number of these are hanging in yacht clubs and private collections throughout the world. 

I was born in Oakland, California, in 1930.  Gifted with dyslexia, I didn’t find school much fun until after high school when I excelled in art, first at California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California, and then at Los Angeles Art Center. 

Up until a few years ago, I was best known in sailboat racing circles.  I painted sailboats, designed and raced them, and won many more races than my share.  For thirty three years, I owned a sail loft in the San Francisco Bay Area, specializing in racing sails.  When I was a young man, in 1963, I was the first West Coast skipper to win the North American Men’s Sailing Championship and bring home the Mallory Cup.  As an old man, in 1982, I won the International Masters Sailing Championship in J-24s.   I’ve raced in Europe and to Hawaii many times, and on both coasts of the United States, as well as in Nassau, Mexico and the Caribbean.  One year I raced all but one weekend, and often weekdays in-between.

A couple of years ago, I got my first dog, Amber, a friendly, happy little fluff of fur, a cockapoo puppy.  Amber keeps my wife, Sallie, and I laughing and smiling every day.  As an artist, even from a very young age, I was keenly aware that people are different in so many way--size, shape, color, aptitude, attitude, and on and on.  Now I am fascinated by the different breeds and variations of dogs.  They’re so full of expression--real dogs, funny dogs, artsy dogs, acrobatic dogs, working dogs, sleeping dogs--they just look at you, and say, “Play with me.” Or, “Take me for a walk.”   I could paint another dog every day and never be bored.

Jim DeWitt

jim@jimdewitt.com
cell:  510-853-1626

www.jimdewitt.com


Click to see a short video of my sailing art.