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Jake Lee
(1915-1991)
Jake Lee was born in Monterey, California on October 23, 1915. He began painting at an early age, depicting scenes of the Chinese communities in California and fishing docks near his home in Monterey. After graduating from San Jose State College in California, he studied at the Otis Art Institute and with Dong Kingman. They spent a great deal of time painting on location in the city and Lee credits Kingman as being an influential instructor and artistic inspiration to him.
By 1944, Lee was settled in Los Angeles and was exhibiting with the California Water Color Society. His watercolors are a blending of classical Chinese and Western techniques. He worked as a commercial illustrator producing magazine covers, product advertisements, posters and children’s book illustrations. Most of these were done with watercolors or gouache on illustration board. For over forty years, he enjoyed a successful career in this field and still found plenty of time to paint and exhibit fine art watercolors. He was also an influential art instructor in Southern California. He died in Los Angeles on September 13, 1991.
Exhibitions: Pasadena Art Institute, 1946; Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, 1954; California Watercolor Society, 1944-55; Aaron Bros Gallery in Los Angeles, 1958;
California Art Club, 1972.
Awards: Glendale AA, 1981 (2nd prize).
Works Held: U.S. Air Force collection.
Source:
California Watercolors 1850-1970, ©2002 Hillcrest Press, Inc.
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