Background
Born James Pringle Wittlig in Marietta, Ohio, he was the son of Walter Wittlig, a watchmaker, and Florence Ione Pringle.
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James Warren
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He had two brothers, the oldest Laurence Pringle Wittlig and a younger brother, David Pringle Wittlig. The Wittligs had emigrated from Langenthal, Switzerland in the 1860s. However, James did not follow in the family watchmaking tradition.
His first love was art, which took him to the Pratt Art Institute of New York where he became a watercolorist and an illustrator for various magazines.
Warren was sighted by an Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer talent scout, who offered him a contract. He appeared in many B-movie westerns during the 1940s, such as the 1946 remake of the 1933 film, Sunset Pass, with co-star Nan Leslie.
In 1952, he co-starred with Gloria Swanson in Three for Bedroom "C". During all his time in Hollywood, James had never lost his passion for painting.
He produced several one-man shows throughout the United States and found a patron in Vincent Price.
At one of these shows, Katharine Hepburn purchased seven of Warren"s large watercolor paintings which she kept in her private collection. In 1968 an art commission from Ford Motor Company took him to Hawaii. He maintained an art gallery in Honolulu, as well as Maui.
Warren specialized in whimsical interpretations of the Hawaiian Tutus (Grandmothers) and Kikis (Grandchildren) as well as many local images.
He continued his one-man shows throughout his later life until his 70s when he chose to remain near his beloved Hawaii.
Membership
Where he quickly settled into island life and became a highly respected member of the art community. He was a well-respected member of the Lahaina Art Society and always was a very willing and gracious participant in all art shows.
