The fine art of nautical emotion
Water is often seen as the very essence of life. From Egyptian mythology to Hinduism to the Navajo people to today’s global population, water is a powerful symbol of purity, rebirth, change, and transition. Though often associated with tranquility and vitality, water also has the power to destroy. All of its forces upon life have been depicted by artists through the centuries. Boats are usually the central subject matter, but compositions also include pure seascapes as well as scenes below the surface.
The maritime painting genre was particularly strong from the 17th to 19th centuries, but remains so today with its properties to instill emotional experiences within the observer from the gloom of dark and stormy scenes to the calming effects of still waters. Four artists tell us what inspired them to focus on marine art and how they hope their works inspire viewers’ perceptions.
Russ Kramer
“I am known for having a strong figurative, first-person element in much of my work,” says Russ Kramer. “I’ve always been an artist, and from a very young age, was drawn to the works of narrative artists—Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth, Howard Pyle—who told a human, up-close story, often of conflict, drama, joy, or pathos. Growing up sailing in small boats, I was especially enthralled by those, like Winslow Homer, who painted the sea and all its forms with mastery. One day, I told myself, I want to be a marine artist.”
During his younger years, Kramer made a living as an illustrator and graphic artist, first in the daily newspaper business, then in advertising and marketing. By 2009, he was painting full time. “Some of my work depicts turn-of-the-century racers and crew and some of the more genteel society that populated American yachting culture of the time. When I discovered the works of Jacques Tissot and Julius LeBlanc Stewart, I was inspired to explore the lifestyles of Edwardian ladies and gentlemen of leisure on their yachts in my own works.”
Kramer studied the archives at the New York Yacht Club library, the Herreshoff Museum, and MIT digital archives to recreate scenes from the distant past. “Paintings of the sea and ships have been popular for centuries, and people have always been drawn to the water to live and play,” he adds. “Though tastes change, marine art will endure long into the future.” russkramer.com
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Guy Harvey
“My training as a marine scientist and fish biologist has benefited my execution of art in many ways,” says Guy Harvey. “Initially, as a fish illustrator, I became very familiar with the anatomy, physiology, and ecology of the animals I was drawing in ink and painting in oil. As my research work progressed in the Caribbean, growing up in Jamaica, I traveled more to experience other marine ecosystems and became familiar with marine life in the eastern tropical Pacific, the western Pacific as well as the northwest coast of the U.S. and Canada. I focus on the large oceanic species such as marlins and sailfish as well as sharks and tuna, plus marine mammals. I have been SCUBA diving for fifty-five years. This has enabled me to better study my subjects in close encounters for authenticity. There is no substitute for getting close to nature.” guyharvey.com
Danielle Perry
“As far as I can recollect, I’ve had a fascination for the ocean, tropical islands, and the nautical and coastal lifestyle. I was born near the old port of Quebec City, so maritime life imprinted on me at an early age,” says Danielle Perry. “…My connection to the ocean really came into focus after moving to Florida in 1998. I became a Nitrox certified diver and started crewing on private boats. These open sea experiences greatly deepened my knowledge of marine and nautical life and were instrumental in shifting my predominant painting themes toward Caribbean marine life, water reflections, boats, and tropical islands. In essence, capturing the ocean’s reflective qualities, vastness, depth, movement, calming and restorative energy became an obsession and my new work place.”
Perry worked mostly with acrylic on various surfaces, however, she rekindled her love for oil painting and revived an old master’s technique taught to her by a French art teacher/friend when she first started. “I find the challenge of oil painting techniques rewarding as it impairs a richer quality to my paintings,” she says. “…Our health and well-being are deeply connected to the nourishing and relaxing power of the blue that surrounds us. …I hope it inspires us all to support ocean and coastal conservation.” danielleperryfineart.com
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Steve Goione
“As to what influenced me to become a marine wildlife artist, that would have to go back to my being raised on Barnegat Bay in southern New Jersey,” says Steve Goione. “I grew up with a family that recreationally fished the bay and inshore out of Barnegat and Manasquan Inlets. I spent my summers on rowboats and Boston Whalers, just a lifetime of adventures as a child and teenager.” After schooling and work as a graphic artist, Goione spent “all of my spare time offshore fishing.” He has been a full-time marine wildlife artist for more than 25 years and credits his years working in a corporate ad agency for giving him the ability to run a marine and wildlife art studio. The sportfishing yacht commissions are most in demand and, as he says, “They’re really fun!” He works one on one with the owners, learns about them, their boats, where they enjoy fishing and what kind of species they like to fish, and then creates an original illustration that is unique and relays their passion for the sport. stevetgoioneprints.com
-by Stephanie Spurling
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