Ship in Storm

Sessions, James Milton (1882-1962), received his initial exposure to art from his mother, who was an accomplished artist and worked for Taft at the White House. He trained at the Art Institute of Chicago from 1903-1906 and initially supported himself as a wheelsman aboard Great Lakes ships from 1906-1914, later serving in the Illinois Naval Reserve during World War I. He also worked as a commercial illustrator. He was a master watercolorist of marine, sporting, and military World War II scenes. He developed a love of the sea and is probably best known as a painter of marine subjects. The Chicago Tribune newspaper utilized his talents and Sessions is considered to be the greatest "brush reporter" of World War II. His works can be found in Presidential collections, numerous important corporate collections and military establishments throughout the country. He died on November 14, 1962 in Chicago at the age of 80. Selected Museum Exhibitions and Collections: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Fine Art, Milwaukee, The Museum of Fine Art, Cleveland. Sessions is the only American artist who, during his lifetime was awarded a show of his painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.