Artist J.D. Mayhew's Call of the Sea: Posthumous Exhibit
By Connie M. Korbel

I think of J.D. Mayhew as the whale “whisperer”. His photo albums are filled with images of J.D. at sea. Images of J.D. leaning over in a small boat stroking a dolphin. Images of J.D. diving and swimming among marine mammals. Images of J.D. gazing out over the horizon always filled with wonder, with respect, with love for the sea’s family of creatures.

It’s true that J.D. Mayhew was well studied and accomplished in the subject of whales, dolphins and sea birds. He was a master and avid skin diver and underwater photographer (J.D. was associated with the first Underwater Film Festival in San Francisco) who logged in many trips to Mexico’s lagoons, Hawaii’s islands and Alaska’s Inland Passage. Long hours of close observation from boat rides and swimming with the humpbacks invited an intimacy that few other share with whales.

Our coastal community will always mourn the loss of this great man, great artist and great champion of all marine life. J.D.'s passing in mid-February is an immense loss for all of us, marine creatures included. It is with sadness that the Mendocino Art Center's first juried marine life exhibit honoring J.D. will now take place without him here. While J.D. knew he was very ill he was delighted that this event would soon take place, in his honor and that of all the creatures he built his artistic career around. While the entire Marine Wildlife exhibit, representing many artists, will be on view in the Main Gallery from March 9 to April 4 with a reception on Second Saturday, March 13, many works by J.D. will be exhibited during the Whale Festival beginning on Saturday, March 6. We hope visitors will stop by for the wine tasting featuring Barra of Mendocino and Jeriko Estate and see the preview of some of J.D.'s masterful pieces.

J.D. was a skilled perfectionist with rigid standards who devoted many years to the subject. The clarity and delicacy of his lines showed the supreme confidence and control of a master. He is known for his dedication to long hours of hard work and relentless attention to the smallest details and authenticity. He’s noted for his traditionalist and careful craftsmanship implemented with the very best of materials. As a result he created “portraits” of the great whales and their young, sea otters, dolphins, and other coastal wildlife that earned him the respect of his peers and art collectors around the globe.

But only a man truly connected, truly tuned in to nature could create this art. J.D. comfortably crossed between and united the two Kingdoms of land and sea. As a result he depicted their beauty, intelligence, grace and their every essence as though he was one of them and invited viewers to join them. “The closer you get to them and the wilder the things you see them do, the more you’re fascinated by them. The babies are inquisitive because they’ll come over to the boat and let you rub them. Then the mother whale will come up, sometimes upside down. It doesn’t matter to them. They’ll let you rub under their chin,” J.D. explained.

J.D. (James Davis) Mayhew’s personal migration from Enid, Oklahoma (born 09/13/26) to the Mendocino coast in 1971 is a “whale of a tale” and must have been predestined. Upon graduation from Oklahoma City University in 1948, he began a 20-year career as an illustrator/art director in the San Francisco Bay Area. His illustrations frequently appeared in national publications, children’s books and filmstrips. As his successful career peaked with him a business partner, he liquidated his interest in the advertising agency and surrendered to the call of the sea.

With his family, he moved here, took several months building a home and studio that overlook the sea close enough to watch the migration of California Gray whales unobstructed only yards away from the cliffs. “I back my van out of the garage, push the tractor-mower out of the way and there’s my oil painting space,” he loved to say.

With the sea as his backyard, J.D.’s deep affection for these great whales grew as he amassed an important body of work, primarily etchings masterfully printed on handmade papers using copper and zinc plates, until recent years
when he’s included watercolors and other mediums.

J.D. became profoundly concerned for the plight of the then-threatened Gray and Humpback whales. Early on he took on an active role in the defense of the whales from Russian and Japanese whale hunters along the Mendocino coast. He forged strong friendships with other likeminded artists concerned for the whales and was greatly instrumental in the public recognition of the dangers to whales and the subsequent recovery of these great marine mammals. It was in March 1976 championing whales took to the local streets and the Whale Festival had its auspicious beginning. J.D. Mayhew created the first silkscreen whale poster and a logo for Greenpeace T-shirts sold to benefit the whales, while other artists produced whale related jewelry, sculptures and paintings, all resulting in a huge success.

For over 20 years he operated the Mendocino Wildlife Gallery he’d founded in which he showcased emerging wildlife artists and championed many environmental groups. These artists now speak of J.D. with reverence, warmth
and love.

J.D. was also an active and revered member of an art group self-named “The Usual Suspects” which occasionally “hang” together at What’s Afoot Gallery in Caspar.

His reputation was also built on his personal responsibility for each print, which he regarded as an integral part of the creative effort, never to be separated from the drawing and etching. With this level of dedication it stands to reason that he produced small limited editions, thereby adding the element of rarity that collectors and museums worldwide highly prize. Whether working in graphite, ink, oil or watercolor, J.D.’s art was constantly challenged, ever experimental while refining. His incredible sense of humor often found its way into his work, but the seriousness of his commitment to the sea creatures was always evident and always communicated his zest for life.

It’s through his artwork, or more precisely, through others’ appreciation of his artwork, which he hoped to contribute to the well being of his wildlife subjects. “If people love a painting of whales, they may also feel a bit more protective of the whales themselves,” he would explain.

The Mendocino Art Center is very privileged to have these exquisite works in our gallery and want very much to share them with the public. The gallery, 45200 Little Lake Street, Mendocino, is open daily from 10am to 4pm.