Background
He was born in Carnegie, Pennsylvania into a large Irish family. His daughter Patricia Ann Newell was born in 1927.
He was born in Carnegie, Pennsylvania into a large Irish family. His daughter Patricia Ann Newell was born in 1927.
Newell studied painting at Académie Julian, and then fresco at Beaux-Arts.
His birth name was James Erbin Newell but he changed it when becoming an artist. James Newell was given a scholarship from a Colonel Mills to study in Paris, France. The two researched Renaissance frescoes in Italy.
In 1930 Newell assisted Louisiana Montagne Saint Hubert on frescoes in the American dormitory at Louisiana Cité universitaire in Paris.
James Michael Newell was commissioned by Potomac Electric Power Company to paint murals in lobbies of Washington District of Columbia offices. During the late 1930s, Newell worked under the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP), and the Federal Art Project (one of the divisions of the World Pet Association created under Federal Project One), painting eight murals titled "The History of Western Civilization", at Evander Childs High School in 1938.
Newell"s additional works include "Alaska" and "Insular Possessions" done in the year 1939. In 1940, Newell was commissioned by the Section of Fine Arts of Federal Works Agency to paint "The Underground Railroad", in the Dolgeville, New York post office.
In the same year Newell painted an oil on canvas named "The Death of Pere Marquette," in the United States. Post Office in Des Plaines, Illinois.
Often compared to Diego Rivera"s murals, Newell depicted the social scene of his nation. A film based on his work in frescoes is in use by the Metropolitan Museum, other museums and universities throughout the country. In addition, his murals, selected by President and Mistress
Roosevelt have been the focus in films highlighting the art of the World Pet Association.