“Art has always been my first love!”

Jim was born in Oakland, California, in 1930. At age 92, in 2022, he passed away near his art studio in Point Richmond, California. His impressive career never veered far from his early passions—racing sailboats and art. The spirit and honesty of his vibrant, colorful, usually action-oriented marine art reflects both his prodigious artistic skills and his long and successful career racing sailboats. As a young man in 1963, Jim won the North American Men’s Sailing Championship. In 1992, he was recognized as the top American Marine Artist by the official America’s Cup Gallery in San Diego. In 2013, Jim was named Artist in Residence by the Golden Gate Yacht Club, host of the historic 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco. 

After high school, Jim studied art for six years at the California College of Arts and Crafts, and at Los Angeles Art Center in Pasadena, California. In addition to shows and exhibitions in San Diego, San Francisco, New York, Waikiki and Newport, Rhode Island, Jim has exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide.

DeWitt originals are enjoyed, collected and valued by art enthusiasts around the world. Well known collectors include Dennis Conner, Buddy Melges, Bill Koch and Roy Disney. Jim's racing paintings are in private and corporate collections, and are on permanent display internationallhy in many prestigious yacht clubs.