[2] On June 2, 1917, Turnbull joined the American Field Service, indicating on the enlistment form that he was working as an artist at the time.

While living in France, Turnbull formed the American Painters of Paris alongside Jules Pacsin, O. Chaffee, W. J. Glackens, and F. J. Frieseke.

In 1926, his oil painting "Les Oliviers" was purchased by the French government for display in the Musee d'art Moderne de Paris.

Vernon Kilns used the Ultra as the base shape for many future lines,[17] including those created with Rockwell Kent, Don Blanding, and Disney.

The series featured designs inspired by California-area Native American culture and architecture, with many showcased on Vernon Kilns' Montecito-shape line.

A 1937 advertisement described it as the "bold, gay patterns of crisp organdie, subdued and mellowed by undertones of contrasting color and design.