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A
master realist, DeWitt Whistler Jayne is acclaimed for his
remarkable artistry in oils and
"finished" pastels. Born in
Boston, Jayne's stunning seascapes and meticulously rigged
sailing ships mirror his keen observance of life on the
waterfront. Exquisite illustrations of life in foreign
ports reflect Jayne's penetrating appreciation of culture.
His lifelike commissioned portraits reveal his clear
intuitive understanding. Among those he painted are
John F. Kennedy, Richard M. Nixon, C. M. Goethe, Billy
Graham, and countless academicians, theologians and
politicians.
After receiving training at the Philadelphia Museum's School
of Art, Jayne studied at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois
where he earned a degree in Philosophy. Upon
graduation, he developed the Department of Art at Wheaton
College where he taught for ten years. After spending
two years with Allen Lewis, N.A., Jayne earned his Master's
Degree in Art History from the University of Pennsylvania.
He did extensive doctoral studies in Higher Criticism and
Middle Eastern Archeology at the University of Chicago.
Jayne went on to teach for fifteen years at California State
University, Sacramento. He retired Professor Emeritus,
having taught there in five departments: Commercial Art, Art
History, Engineering, Journalism, and Comparative Religions,
where he taught Old Testament Introduction.
Jayne worked extensively in national advertising as General
Manager of W. L. Stensgaard and Associates, a national
display agency in Chicago and General Manager of Mel Richman
Studio, a national art studio in Philadelphia. Jayne
has illustrated more than eighty national magazine covers,
200 book jackets, and has made several magazine and book
illustrations. His work has been displayed at the
Philadelphia Art Alliance, the Print Club of Philadelphia,
and The Submarine Library of New London, Connecticut.
His original art is in the permanent collections of the
Pentagon, Washington, D.C., California State University,
Sacramento, Covenant College, Westmont College, Wheaton
College (Illinois), Covenant Theological Seminary, Fuller
Theological Seminary, Westminster Theological Seminary, and
numerous publishing houses. Over 600 of his works are
in private collections. Jayne produced many pieces of
fine art throughout his life having, for thirty years beyond
his retirement, devoted himself to oil painting and pastel
drawing. A 40"x 60" oil painting, AND HE WAS
TRANSFIGURED BEFORE THEM, which is considered by some
Jayne's magnum opus, hangs in the lobby of The Samarkand - a
Covenant Retirement Community in Santa Barbara, California.
In 1991 the Jaynes made the Samarkand their home, where four
of Jayne's works are permanently displayed.
By descent, a cousin of James McNeil Whistler, Jayne himself
is considered a legend by many. He continued to paint
professionally until the age of ninety-one when he closed
his studio in 2002.
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