On August 18, 2024, the first anniversary of James’ passing, the foundation was laid for the James Yale Legacy Project with a new website, an exhibit, and his social media reactivated.
In this second year of the Legacy Project, we began the launch of a year of interviews, with the goal of discovery to build James catalog of artwork… some that hasn’t been seen in over 40 years.
We have posted a diversity of artwork, from five year old Jimmy Yale’s first book The Easter Rabbit, to living breathing masterpieces in oil, and onwards to preliminary sketches and studies that include architectural renderings, sculpture, and advertising. James was always a working artist.
In a time of brands, these posts shine the light on the inner workings of James’ mind that was expansive, curious, imaginative, and methodical.
Every week I learn, like you, about the stories of James Yale the artist, before I came into his life. I never know what I will find in a notebook or box of unfiled papers, manuscripts, or photographs that organically pop up and lead to the next post and interview.
This next round of discoveries by curator Matt Meers in unscrolling original sketches that haven’t seen the light of day in years, are four imaginative working drawings of swords for Maringer Swords.
I knew that James collaborated with Tom Maringer in creating pen and ink logos and advertising. This new discovery sent us on the trail to interview Tom and have him tell us more about the sword drawings and collaborating with James in the day. I also found an interview by Ellis Widner with James that is woven into this story.
James had told me about a John Lennon commission, and it always made me curious about the chain of events connected with Chris Stein and Debbie Harry of Blondie who lived in the Dakota and bought a Maringer Sword.
In the Ellis Widner article, James talks about the day John Lennon called him from a phone booth by the Dakota, and James hung up on him.
“Chris (Stein) showed my illustration to Lennon. I’ll never forget that telephone call. At that time I was running around with a bunch of pranksters. We all were fond of English accents and Monty Python. We did a lot of pranks. One day, the phone rang. He said he was John Lennon. “Sure you are,” I said. I hung up on him. The phone rang again. I hung up again. Finally, I said, “If you are John Lennon, sing something.” He did. He sang ‘Imagine’. I knew it was John Lennon because my friends couldn’t sing.”
Lennon asked Yale to create an illustration he planned to give to members of Paul McCartney’s band Wings. The image, a woman with dragonfly wings, was nearing completion when John Lennon was murdered Dec. 8, 1980.
The interview with Tom Maringer, weaves the pen and ink Dragonfly Woman into this post.
Image of Dragonfly Woman – Originally a commission for John Lennon. The proof sent to Lennon for approval was purchased by Marty Roenigk. I have never seen the original proof that John signed off on.
In my quest for the truth and stories behind the art of James’, I hope it conveys a reminder for us to look deeply into life and hold dear the art of conversation that makes us more human.
I feel like a modern day Johanna Bonger Van Gogh, determined to not let James’ art go in the trash can of history, and have attracted a dedicated Nancy Drew crew who has joined me on this adventure, laying the foundation for the third year to create the documentary: The Lost Artist of the Ozarks. Please, won’t you join us with your stories by contacting me at: jamesyale@gmail.com, and sharing these weekly posts that lead to the next discoveries.
A very special thank you to Tom Maringer at The Shire Post Mint in Westfork, Arkansas for a most delightful conversation. Link to Tom’s website: https://www.shirepost.com
Included are four original pen and ink drawings for Maringer Swords that Tom shared with us during our visit.
— Charlotte Buchanan Yale
