19 Facts About James Lunnon

James Lunnon was a British-born, American-based artist and engineer during the first half of the twentieth century.

James Lunnon was born in Chesterton, Cambridgeshire, England on October 3,1897.

James Lunnon's father, James, was a miller later active in Labour politics, while his mother was a concert violinist and painter.

James Lunnon attended art classes at the Slade School of Art during the evenings while working at Rolls-Royce.

James Lunnon flew bombing missions over France as a flight lieutenant.

James Lunnon continued with Rolls-Royce as final production tester and dynamometer specialist at Derby, England.

In 1923 James Lunnon moved to Montreal, Canada, operating the maintenance department for Rolls-Royce Canada.

James Lunnon was sent from there to the Rolls-Royce production plant Springfield, Massachusetts in 1927 and moved from there to the Brewster-Rolls-Royce plant on Long Island, New York in 1929.

In 1931 the Depression caused a downsizing at Rolls-Royce and James Lunnon decided to take up painting again.

James Lunnon studied with Wayman Elbridge Adams and the Art Students League in Manhattan.

James Lunnon's portraits were hung in Gracie Mansion and the Mitchel Field Officer's Club and exhibited in many shows.

James Lunnon exhibited in Paris and while there, visited the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne.

In 1938 James Lunnon accepted an offer from Max Fleischer, the creator of Betty Boop and the Popeye cartoons, to head up his color laboratory.

James Lunnon continued his portraiture, painting Miami notables as well as a series on the Miccosukee tribe that included Buffalo Tiger, a young man who later became their political leader.

Also in 1942 James Lunnon joined Embry-Riddle Aviation of Miami as chief engineer.

In 1948 the family returned to Miami, where James Lunnon devoted himself to portraits and to teaching portraiture.

James Lunnon's studio was at 800 Douglas Entrance, Coral Gables.

Unfortunately, in 1954 James Lunnon died of a heart attack in his studio.

James Lunnon is buried with his wife in the Qakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, Alabama.