Born Johan Domela Nieuwenhuis in Amsterdam, Holland. He arrived in San Francisco in 1915 during the excitement of the Panama Pacific International Exposition. Opting to become an artist, he studied at the California School of Fine Arts and at the Los Angeles School of Illustration. Feeling the need for further training, in 1925 he returned to Holland and entered the Rijks Academy and continued at Académie Julian in Paris. In 1928 he returned to California and for 40 years worked in Hollywood in the art department of Paramount Studios for whom he created their mountain logo. Matte artist/special effects credits include HER JUNGLE LOVE and SPAWN OF THE NORTH (both 1938), UNION PACIFIC (1939), TYPHOON and DR. CYCLOPS (both 1940), I WANTED WINGS and ALOMA OF THE SOUTH SEAS (both 1941), REAP THE WILD WIND (1942), FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS (1943), SAMSON AND DELILAH, A CONNECTICUT YANKEE IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT and THE GREAT GATSBY (all 1949), WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE (1951), WAR OF THE WORLDS and THE GIRLS OF PLEASURE ISLAND (both 1953), CONQUEST OF SPACE (1955) and THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956).  Special Award 1938: "For outstanding achievement in creating special effects in the Paramount production, SPAWN OF THE NORTH." Winners presented Plaques. (w. Devereux Jennings, Gordon Jennings, Irmin Roberts & Art Smith)  Special Effects 1953: THE WAR OF THE WORLDS [No credit listed, but film credits Jan Domela, Walter Hoffman, Gordon Jennings, Irmin Roberts & W. Wallace Kelley (visual)] 1 nomination, 1 Award, 1 Special Award