James Martin Triggs was born on March 2, 1924, in Indianapolis and was educated in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and Mamaroneck, New York. He served in the U.S. military during World War II and studied at Cornell University and the Pratt Institute. Triggs got his start as a commercial artist working with Stevan Dohanos (1907-1994) and Coby Whitmore (1913-1988). Often working in a trompe l'oeil manner, he did advertising art and painted magazine covers for Argosy and other publications. He was especially interested in airplanes and firearms. Triggs was also an author, with the books The Piper Cub Story (1963) and Used Plane Buying Guide (1962) to his credit. James M. Triggs died on June 26, 1992, in Danbury, Connecticut.
Update (May 27, 2024): There is an article in the April 1985 issue of Southwest Art Magazine on James M. Triggs. It's called "Frontier Mementoes," and its author is Pamela Guthman.
Text copyright 2016, 2024 Terence E. Hanley
James Martin Triggs was my grandfather. Thank you for this web page and the art that you featured. - James Triggs
ReplyDeleteDear Jim,
DeleteI'm glad you like what I wrote. I wish I could have found more images by him. I'm really fascinated by his art.
Terence Hanley
Hello Terence,
DeleteYou can find a detailed photo of the artwork Mr. Triggs did for the "Skeeter Skelton" special, along with images of the engraved piece at this link:
http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=1030076
Mike (as we used to call him) was my guardian for several years in the 1970s, when he and his wife Janet were the house parents at a group home in Riverdale Maryland run by Stan Levy (Family Homes Inc). He was more than a guardian to me. As a young aspiring sketch artist Frank took me under his wing and taught me to paint in Acrylics (his medium of choice at the time). Over the years that training he gave me helped develop my photographic style, and to this day lessons in color, light, perspective, all play into my photography. Mike also helped me develop my writing skill, helping mentor me on short stories and poetry. Today I've been published in various newspapers and magazines, and this too I give part credit to my time back in the little house off Riverdale Road where Mike and I would sit up into the wee hours of the morning writing, painting and just talking about life. I was saddened to learn Mike passed so young, always hoping I'd run into him one day and have the chance to thank him for the life lessons he gave me during those developing years as a teenager when I could have gone in many directions, but thanks to his help I ended up following the path I took. He never saw me go to college, we lost track by then, but I don't think a year of my life goes by when I don't drift back to those lazy summer nights around the kitchen table, painting, writing, talking about life and of course, playing hearts and spades. If anyone reads this is in touch with Janet, please give her my best. Also tell Danny, his son whom I am sure has forgotten about me that I send my best and hope he is well. I'll never forget the huge mural he painted of Danny on the wall of a building in Hyattsville. Its gone now, but it stood for many years as a testament to his amazing talent. He was a good and decent man, and I count myself fortunate to have had the years under his tutelage that I had.
DeleteCorrection, my comments are about his son. This appears to be Mikes father. Both painted for Gun Digest, and Flying magazine, but James Michael was who I knew. I knew of his Dad, but don't think I ever met him. His father he told me painted in oils. Mike of course painted in Acrylics. The sentiments of course remain the same.
DeleteYes, we live in Virginia now.
DeletePlease contact me Chris. Tarasample@thisability.org
DeleteThank you for sharing! He was my grandfather also. ��
ReplyDeleteTara Triggs-Sample
Tara, is Janet still with you?
DeleteHe was also a member of SAHA
ReplyDeleteIf you don't mind my asking, what is SAHA?
DeleteTH
Society of American historical artists
DeleteJim was a good friend of mine. Truly a great man and a great artist.
ReplyDeleteDon
I would like to contact family or anyone with an interest in James M. Triggs.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Hi I’m his granddaughter Tara.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHello to All Commenters,
ReplyDeleteI hope all of you can get in touch with each other and share information. I would like to be able to add to my really short biography of James M. Triggs and to show more of his artwork if anyone has anything to offer.
Thanks to all for reading and commenting.
Terence Hanley
If you don't have a copy, get hold of SOUTHWEST ART Magazine April 1985. Lots of good info, much of it in Jim's own words. Eldon
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eldon,
DeleteWe should all keep an eye out for that magazine.
TH
I have few picture of James M Triggs ,i have sent them to few auction places for appraised but no one can give me any numbers. Does anyone know where to get them appraised.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Hi, Unknown,
DeleteI'm not a dealer or appraiser, so I can't say. Does anyone have any ideas?
TH
I have few drawings of James M Triggs.
ReplyDeleteI found them inside a wall we were tearing down an old house in Milwaukee. I sent it to few art dealers for appraisal tbey didnt know nothing about them. Im glad i found this forum here. Let me know how ro send few pictures of the art.
Regards
I have few drawings of James M Triggs.
ReplyDeleteI found them inside a wall we were tearing down an old house in Milwaukee. I sent it to few art dealers for appraisal tbey didnt know nothing about them. Im glad i found this forum here. Let me know how ro send few pictures of the art.
Regards
Hi! Please send me the images. 804-926-8101
ReplyDeleteWonderful tribute article in the American Rifleman (August 2023). Mr. Triggs’ drawings were constantly referred to by my grandfather (small town gunsmith) and my father, an amateur gunsmith. I on the other hand, though an avid bullseye target shooter, was fascinated by his illustrations, including his exploded views all which inspired me to go to a professional art school and 9 years as a US Army illustrator, who did exploded views of M-60’s.
ReplyDelete