Jim Rumph

James Kelsey Calhoun Rumph (August 17, 1942 – September 1, 1993) was an American artist noted for his ceramic creations. His work featured monsters, satyrs, nymphs and other fantastical creatures inspired by mythology, pop culture and the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, Ray Bradbury, Carl Sagan, Isaac Asimov; fantasy artists Frank Frazetta, Moebius, William Stout and Richard Corbin among many others.

Early life Jim Rumph was born James Kelsey Calhoun, in St. Louis, Missouri. He remained a graphic artist and painter until the late 1960s, when he began experimenting with ceramics - initially pinch pots, later tankards depicting demons, movie and TV characters, planters and unique sculptures for which he would become known. His signature mugs often featured creatures inside, gradually revealed as the tankards were drained.

His alter ego, "Dr. Rumph," a wizened trickster with a hook in place of one hand, became a signature character in fliers and other promotional materials.

He is perhaps best known for his mass-produced Star Wars tankards - Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Chewbacca, which was George Lucas' personal favorite. Other movie character mugs include Admiral Kirk and Mr. Spock from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, a Christopher Reeve Superman mug inspired by the 1978 film, Superman The Movie, and an E.T. The Extraterrestrial piggy bank featured on the cover with director Steven Spielberg's mother, Leah Adler, in People Magazine in 1982.

He ran a series of studios located first in Topanga Canyon, next on 18th Street in Santa Monica and finally on Sepulveda Boulevard in West Los Angeles. Each in turn was designated The Slyme Factory after the old English word for clay.

Personal life Jim Rumph married Daryle Ann Powelson.