Skipjack's Nautical Living

Nautical Rope Bracelet For Valentines Day Gift Giving

2012-01-19T16:32:00.004-05:00

Skipjack's Mariner nautical rope bracelet in new Valentines Day colors

FREE DOMESTIC USPS SHIPPING FOR ALL SKIPJACK NAUTICAL JEWELRY THROUGH FEBRUARY 10, 2012

Givingyour significant other the right gift for Valentine’s Day can certainly be important. And, If you're also planning to give a valentine's Day gift to your best friend,mom or other family members, you may need a little help finding something special that's affordable too! Here’sthe perfect gift for your loved ones- the Mariner nauticalrope bracelet is now available for a limited time in great Valentine's Day colors including soft pink and valentine’s rednylon line. A great gift for only $24.95 with FREE shipping! Follow the link here to the Mariner nautical rope bracelet in Valentine's Day colors.

Skipjack's Mariner nautical rope bracelet.

You may also want to consider our traditional nautical colors too. The Mariner bracelet is perfect for boaters, surfers, beach goers or anyone that enjoys being in or around the water- quick drying nylon and stainless steel shackle won't rust! Bracelets are available with small (7/8" long) or large (1-1/8" long) shackles. The width of the knotted bracelet is just under 3/4". The knotted width is the same regardless of shackle size. A great item for men, women and children alike. Here's the link to Skipjack's Mariner nautical rope bracelets with new jewelry items being added each day!
Here's the link to Skipjack's nautical jewelry online where you can a great selection of nautical themed and island inspired jewelry.


Skipjack's Mariner nautical rope in our traditional nautical colors.

We proudly offer free USPS shipping and handling in the US through February 10, 2012 for all Skipjack Nautical jewelry purchases. Free Shipping will be applied automatically to all qualifying orders. No minimum purchase, coupons or promotion codes are not required.

Chelsea Clock History: The Original Chelsea Yacht Wheel Clock from 1905 to the latest Chelsea Mariner Clock of 2011

2011-12-01T06:38:00.001-05:00

Chelsea Clock Company Yacht Wheel Ship's Bell Clock, 1905.

By Jim Dyson, Chelsea Clock Museum

Clock Specialist for Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery

106 years and counting! In the year 1905 Chelsea Clock Company produced the first of the most iconic marine clock designs, The Yacht Wheel Ship's Bell Clock. The oldest known Chelsea clock of this design was retailed by Theodore B. Starr and Company with a shop at 206 Fifth Avenue in New York City, on July 15, 1905 and recorded in the Chelsea Clock Company factory record book as serial number 15273.

Theodore B. Starr and Company, 206 Fifth Avenue in New York City

Yacht wheel clock was published in the first catalog of the Chelsea Clock Company.

The first catalog of the Chelsea Clock Company was published on September 1, 1906. The Yacht Wheel Clock was featured on page 18 and it was noted in the upper right hand corner that "Patent applied for the Design of Case and Base". Pictured above is page 18 of the Chelsea Clock Company 1906 catalog.

1905 Chelsea ship's wheel clock showing cocobola wooden spoke handles and Theodore B. Starr and Company name on clock face.

Remarkably Chelsea has produced this clock for 106 continuous years but no record of this patent ever being issued can be found with the U. S. Patent Office. This omission has not hampered Chelsea in its sole production of this stunning design. In spite of a model name change in the mid 1920's to the "Mariner", this famous design has remained unchanged with the exception of improvements in their famous Ship's Bell movement. One interesting and unique feature of clock number 15273 is mentioned in the first catalog. It is noted on page 18 that the Yacht Wheel Clock can be had "to order" with the wheel spoke handles furnished in wood, cocobolo or mahogany.

The original 1905 Chelsea Yacht Wheel Ship's Bell Clock shown next to the new Chelsea Mariner ship's bell clock.

To date clock number 15273 is the only known example with these optional cocobolo wooden spoke handles, all other clocks of this design have full metal spoke handles. Other interesting Chelsea Clocks and their unmatched history can be found at the web site of the Chelsea Clock Museum . To begin your own legend, contact Skipjack Nautical Wares and Marine Gallery, Portsmouth, Virginia, your authorized Chelsea dealer. A fine selection of new and vintage clocks are available for your examination. Follow the link here to preview the latest Chelsea Mariner Ship's Bell Clock now available at Skipjack Nautical Wares and Marine Gallery.

Skipjack's 2011 Top 10 Nautical Gifts For All Occasions

2011-11-03T07:20:00.000-04:00

Brass sloop sailboat bookends is a great nautical gift, perfect for all gift giving needs.

The number one question that we are asked here at Skipjack is I'm looking for a gift... something for a birthday, house warming, retirement, Christmas and of course as a token for other numerous occasions. And of course when they're visiting our gallery we know that they are looking for something nautical. So here's our 2011 top ten nautical gift giving ideas for all occasions.

Number One: Our new brass sloop sailboat bookends is a great nautical gift for all occasions- perfect as a house warming gift to help dress up their bookshelf. Featured in November 2011 Coastal Living Magazine! (pictured above). Here's a link to the brass sloop sailboat bookends.

Number Two: The Mariner nautical rope bracelet with stainless steel shackle is a great gift for both men and women. Hand-made here in Portsmouth, Virginia, this attractive nautical bracelet features a reef knot tied with nylon cord and uses a stainless steel shackle, making it easy to get on and off. The Mariner bracelet is perfect for boaters, surfers, beach goers or anyone that enjoys being in or around the water. Available in five great nautical colors and it's only $24.95. Here's the link to the Skipjack's Mariner nautical rope bracelet.

Skipjack's Mariner nautical rope bracelet for men and women.

Number Three: Skipjack's bay rum and lime soap. It's spicy and manly!....but women love it as well. Great for salt of the earth types or for an old salt, it conjures memories of vintage sailing ships, the smell of teak and salt air and long naps in a hammock stretched between the main and the mizzen - with a twist of boat drinks, of course! You’re guaranteed to fall in love with this refreshing reminder of the sea. From our collection of island inspired soaps and bath products. Great thank you gift and stocking stuffer. Four ounce bar in decorative box for only $5.95! Here's the link to Skipjack's bay rum and lime soap.

Skipjack's bay rum and lime soap from our collection of island inspired soaps.

Number Four: 6 Inch Brass Ship's Bell Mounted on Mahogany Plaque. Our best selling retirement gift- 6" solid brass ship's bell mounted on 9" x 12" (229 x 305 mm) high gloss mahogany plaque. Comes with an engraveable brass plate. The perfect presentation piece for retired military as well as a nautical gift for numerous occasions. (Hand-tied bell lanyard not included) Brass plate engraving available at an additional cost. Here's the link to 6 Inch Brass Ship's Bell Mounted on Mahogany Plaque.

A best selling retirement gift 6 Inch Brass Ship's Bell Mounted on Mahogany Plaque.

Number Five: Skipjack's NEW long sleeve T-shirt with racing Skipjack embroidered on the left chest. Our comfortable super soft 100% cotton T's are simply perfect for everyday casual wear. Available in all standard sizes and four great nautical colors including navy, white red and gray. Well priced at $29.00. Available in short sleeve too! Here's the link to Skipjack's long sleeve T-shirt with racing Skipjack.

Skipjack's NEW long sleeve T-shirt with racing Skipjack.

Number 6: Our custom made nautical chart lampshades. Give a lampshade where X marks the spot. Our custom lampshades gives you the opportunity to select your own NOAA navigational chart of your favorite body of water and coastal area. Makes a unique gift that is truly personalized and perfect for the new coastal homeowner. Here's the link to our custom nautical chart lampshades. Our nautical chart lampshades are also available in three standard sizes using the NOAA chart of the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay! We also produce a navigational chart nightlight (see pictured) that is also fabricated like our lampshades here in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA. and available for $18.95.

Custom made nautical chart lampshade is the perfect gift for the coastal homeowner.

Number 7: Our "Sloop" sterling silver pendant is a great gift for any occasion and for any maiden sailing the seven seas. From the Barbara Vincent sterling silver sailboat collection. Complete the ensemble with Barbara's matching "Sloop" earrings. Here's the link to sterling silver "Sloop" pendant.

Sterling silver "Sloop" pendant from the Barbara Vincent Sailboat collection.

Number 8: Chelsea three function cable wall clock is both attractive and a functional with thermometer and hygrometer. A great gift for the mariner and equally as usable in the nautical home or on board your yacht. Here's the link to Chelsea's three function cable wall clock.

Chelsea's three function cable wall clock.

Number 9: Skipjack's best selling nautical signal flags belt...the perfect accoutrement for khakis, jeans, or corduroys and of course to wear with your favorite worn cargo shorts too! This cotton web ribbon belt for all seasons has full grain drum-dyed leather billet and buckle ends accentuated by the solid brass buckle. This belt is available with your choice of white, red or navy webbing as a background to the signal flag ribbon. A great gift for numerous occasions. MADE IN THE USA! Here's the link to nautical signal flags belt. You may also want to preview our total collection of nautical themed belts.

Skipjack's best selling nautical signal flag belts.

Number 10: Our brass nautical sea chest becket door knocker, cast and reproduced after an authentic 19th century sea chest rope handle or becket will certainly adorn the front of any nautical home. Featured in the November 2011 issue of "Classic Boat Magazine, The World's Most Beautiful Boats" published in London, England as one of their choice "Objects of desire"! Follow the link here to nautical sea chest becket door knocker or see our complete collection of nautical/coastal inspired brass door knockers by following the link here to Nautical door knockers and hardware.

Solid cast brass nautical sea chest becket door knocker

OK, so the person that you are shopping for is hard to buy for. You've racked your brain and are simply out of ideas. The person you are shopping for already owns everything under the sun but you still want to buy them that perfect gift. Here's a solution that will satisfy even the most impossible person on your shopping list. A gift certificate from Skipjack! A white embossed note card personalized with your message will be sent to the gift recipient. Each certificate may be redeemed either by shopping online or in our Olde Towne Portsmouth showroom. Available in amounts starting at $25.00. Here's the link to a good night sleep and another one crossed off the list! The Skipjack Nautical Wares gift certificate.

Here's a link to our 2010 list Nautical Gifts For Men & Women From Skipjack.

A gift certificate from Skipjack Nautical Wares is always the perfect gift!

Skipjack's NEW Mariners Fid

2011-10-26T16:48:00.000-04:00

Skipjack's new Mariner's fid available in brass and stainless steel.

New to Skipjack- Our high quality metal fids. Designed having a flattened side to a tapering point, our fids can be used for loosening wire cable but can also equally be used for loosening larger rope knots. Available in solid brass or stainless steel, each comes with a generous width hole to attach a lanyard. The round top is decorated with embossed crossed anchors. Measures 8 1/4" long and 3/4" in diameter at widest (not including top) and weighs 11 ounces (brass and 12 ounces (stainless steel). A great size to handle with tough projects and for working with most line width's used aboard today's yachts. Makes a great gift for your special mariner!

Close-up view showing flattened point and hole for attaching lanyard.

NOTE: Fids are usually referred to as being made of wood or bone and sometimes whale ivory. Fids for working fibre rope are usually wooden and have a wider taper to open strands sufficiently to permit passing strands through when splicing. Metal fids for wire cable are less widely tapered, as the strands of metal cable are thinner and need less space to tuck when splicing. Marling-spike or marline-spike (as we refer to today as a marlinspike), is always made of metal. Marling-spikes are used for working small stuff, like marline. They can also double as fids for freeing tight knots, opening ring pinned shackles, and for splicing wire cable. When used in this manner they are typically referred to as FIDS and not marling spikes.

Embossed cross anchors on top of fid.

These exceptional quality fids are now available at Skipjack Nautical Wares. Follow the link here for our brass Mariners fid and the link here for the stainless steel Mariners fid.

NEW AT SKIPJACK- THE MARINER NAUTICAL BRACELET NOW AVAILABLE IN FIVE GREAT COLORS

2011-09-23T06:10:00.000-04:00

The Mariner Nautical bracelet hand-tied in navy blue nylon and stainless steel shackle clasp.

Add a splash of color to your wardrobe with the new Skipjack Mariner nautical rope braclet for men, women or children... the perfect accoutrement for your coastal lifestyle now available in five great nautical colors! This affordable nautical bracelet features a reef knot tied with durable nylon cord and uses a stainless steel shackle, making it easy to get on and off. The Mariner bracelet is perfect for boaters, surfers, beach goers or anyone that enjoys being in or around the water- quick drying nylon and stainless steel shackle won't rust! Bracelets are available with small (7/8" long) or large (1-1/8" long) shackles in light blue, navy, white, red and black nylon cord.

The Skipjack Mariner bracelet is now available in five great nautical colors.

Bracelets are sold by their actual length to the half inch. For best fit measure the diameter of your wrist with a cloth measuring tape or wrap a piece of string around your wrist and then measure the length of the string against a ruler. We have found most people select a bracelet 1" - 1-1/2" larger than their wrist size. Please call or email for sizes smaller or larger than listed. You can call us at (757) 399-5012 during store hours, Monday-Saturday 10am to 5 pm or Email us at skipjacknauticalwares@gmail.com.

The Mariner bracelet is perfect for boaters, surfers, beach goers or anyone that enjoys being in or around the water

The Mariner bracelet will easily ship in a Small Flat Rate box by USPS Priority Mail in the USA for approximately $5.00! Follow this link here to Skipjack's Mariner nautical rope bracelet. Order one today...it makes a great gift for the nautical enthusiast too! We recommend that you also preview Skipjack's complete line of nautical themed and island inspired jewelry.

Salboat Jewelry- Classic Designs in Sterling Silver by Barbara Vincent

2011-09-01T08:10:00.000-04:00

The "Schooner" sterling silver nautical sailboat pendant by Barbara Vincent.

Set sail in style with classic sterling silver sailboat jewelry by Barbara Vincent- the perfect accessory for any time on or off the boat. These distinctive nautical sailboat designs reflect her passion for fine sterling silver jewelry and celebrate the designer's enthusiasm for sailing and coastal lifestyle.

The "sloop" classic sailboat pendant in polished sterling silver.

Choose from Barbara's J boat, sloop, schooner and sailboat racing with spinnaker flying and her most recent design simply titled "Hope." These nautical designs are available individually as pendants for necklaces or as a collection. (see pictured below) Complete the look with matching sterling silver sailboat earrings.

Sailboat "HOPE" sterling silver nautical pendant.

Barbara Vincent's "J boat" in sterling silver

The nautical sterling silver sailboat collection by Barbara Vincent available at Skipjack.

The Barbara Vincent sterling silver sailboat collection is available today together with other fine nautical-inspired jewelry at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery. You can purchase these exceptional and affordable sterling silver sailboat pendants and earrings at Skipjack's webstore by following the link above or at their waterfront showroom located in historic Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia. Either way, you'll sure to sail away with this wonderful collection of sailboat jewelry.

New Nautical Belts at Skipjack

2011-08-20T12:18:00.001-04:00

Made in the USA for the seafarer's lifestyle, the new additions to our nautical-inspired leather tab belts are designed for days aboard your boat, evenings socializing at the yacht club, and is the perfect belt for everyday wear.

Skipjack's new Yachting Burgee's nautical inspired belt.

Our new yachting burgees nautical belt is the perfect accompaniment to wear out for an evening at your yacht club. I personally love this belt to be worn with my favorite khaki pants, traditional dark blue blazer and white Skipjack polo shirt! Click here to order your yachting burgee nautical belt at Skipjack.

ABOUT YACHT CLUB BURGEES: Members belonging to a yacht club or sailing organization may fly their club's unique burgee both while underway and at anchor (however, not while racing). Sailing vessels may fly the burgee from the main masthead or from a lanyard under the starboard spreader on the mast. Power boats fly the burgee off a short staff on the bow.

Traditionally, the first time a member of one club visits another, there is an exchange of burgees. Exchanged burgees are then often displayed on the premises of each, such as in a club office or bar. Anyone want to exchange belts?

The sailing regatta nautical belt at Skipjack.

Each June, Alison and I race our vintage 1962, 26' Pearson Arial in the Cock Island Race, one of the largest sailboat races held on the east coast annually here in Portsmouth, Virginia. This sailing-inspired belt reminds us of the numerous sailboats with colorful hulls and sails as the boats maneuver for top position before the beginning of the race. You can purchase our nautical-inspired Regatta belt by following the link here to Skipjack's webstore.

Skipjack's nautical international signal flag belt now available in three colors.

Due to customer demand, we now offer our most popular nautical belt, the international signal flag, in three color web grounds. Choose between red, white or blue for your belt's web backing. And like all of Skipjack's nautical belts, they're the perfect accoutrement for khakis, jeans, or corduroys and of course to wear with your favorite worn cargo shorts too! This cotton web ribbon belt for has full grain drum-dyed leather billet and buckle ends accentuated by the solid brass buckle. MADE IN THE USA! You can order a Skipjack signal flag belt by following the link here to our webstore.

Choose between red, white and now blue web grounds.

Preview our collection of casual sportswear for men and women including shirts, hats, caps, belts, and other specifically designed nautical and boating accessories at Skipjack's Nautical Apparel on our website or come and visit us at our store located on the riverfront in historic Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia.

Modeling the Skipjack "Virgil G. Dean" With Garry Cerrone: Part Two

2011-08-11T14:37:00.000-04:00

The full sweep of the shear with the gentle curve of the jib boom can be seen here.

At this point, the superstructure of the Virgil G. Dean model by Garry Cerrone is complete. As can be seen the main hatch is in place as is the cabin trunk. The masts are set and aligned with the use of wedges called partners. The centerboard and rudder are also installed. It is at this point of building that Garry draw the greatest pleasure from just viewing the sculptural aspects of the form. Being able to hold the form is an added experiential plus.

In this view the hard chine of the deadrise hull melds into the stem near the water line. This unique part of the skipjack is often fabricated using large blocks of wood chiseled to graceful confirmation. This model of the Dean is made in that traditional fashion.

As in most work boats, the form and function of the skipjacks are very closely intertwined. They must be fast and strong under sail to haul the "drudges" full of oysters yet be capable of carrying a full load of product without floundering. Much of the beauty clearly rests in the grace of the sweeping sheer enhanced by the jib boom which is traditionally slightly arched on the top to continue the visual line all the way forward.

Looking aft we see the cabin trunk in all of its utilitarian functionality. This is a no nonsense , low headroom compartment that can used to cook in , sleep and get a crew man out of a blow but not much else.

Although the traditional skippy employed a somewhat standard method of fabrication there was much room for individuality from boat to boat. Width of beam, width of transom and entry all were choices faced by the builder. But perhaps the most important influence on the construction of any wooden boat such as a skipjack was the length of the available keel, as that always determined the length of the hull. For Garry, the ultimate aesthetic aspect of the skipjack design was that it grew from a need, used native materials, was locally built and was thus totally organic from concept to operation.

This port side view gives one an overall sense of proportion and the rack of the masts. The two masted or three sail bateau's as they were called were popular in the early years of skipjacks but went out of fashion later. In many cases three-sail boats were converted to single mast rigs.

With the hull complete, begins a whole new phase of construction. As an artist, this is the most creative and downright fun. This is the detail creating part. That part that makes it quite clear what these boats did to pay their way. In this phase all of the machinery of oystering, dredges, dredge winders, pusher boats, davits and sails get designed fabricated and installed. There will be more on that in the coming weeks.

You can visit part one of this blog by following the link here "Modeling the Skipjack "Virgil G. Dean". You can also visit Garry Cerrone's page on Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery website by following the link here Garry Cerrone at Skipjack.

NEW AT SKIPJACK- THE MARINER NAUTICAL BRACELET FOR MEN AND WOMEN

2011-07-21T08:28:00.001-04:00

The Mariner Nautical bracelet in navy blue nylon and stainless steel shackle clasp.

Looking for a new attractive accessory to dress up your nautical attire? Look no farther- the new Skipjack MARINER nautical rope bracelet for men, women or children is the perfect accoutrement for your coastal lifestyle! This affordable nautical bracelet features a reef knot tied with navy nylon cord and uses a stainless steel shackle, making it easy to get on and off. The Mariner bracelet is perfect for boaters, surfers, beach goers or anyone that enjoys being in or around the water- quick drying nylon and stainless steel shackle won't rust! Bracelets are available with small (7/8" long) or large (1-1/8" long) shackles

Skipjack's MARINER nautical bracelet for men and women

The Mariner bracelet is perfect for boaters, surfers, beach goers or anyone that enjoys being in or around the water

The Mariner nautical rope bracelet will easily ship in a Small Flat Rate box by USPS Priority Mail in the USA for approximately $5.00! You may also want to preview our complete collection of nautical themed and island inspired jewelry at Skipjack's nautical jewelry.

Modeling the Skipjack "Virgil G. Dean"

2011-06-28T11:41:00.003-04:00

Skipjack model by Garry Cerrone

Garry Cerrone loves the patina of use. Tools whose handles are worn to reflect the users hand. Banjo heads with a pattern of how the player strummed the strings. Door sills and stair treads worn to reflect the thousands of footfalls that have crossed them. To Garry these are visual poetry. In his models, he tries to capture that same essence. Boats that are respected and cared for but well used. Boats that show the patina of use, the effects of the weather and time but still convey to you that they are loved by their users. Garry's models all reflect this poesy of use. With stains of rust, peeling paint, graying sun bleached wood. They are loaded with detail, most created in his studio by scratch building, casting or other techniques. All model boats are fabricated from scale lumber also made in his studio.

The modeling of the Skipjack "Virgil G. Dean" is now a work in progress in Garry Cerrone's Maryland studio. Preview with us the techniques used by Garry in constructing the handcrafted model of the "Virgil G. Dean" from beginning to end in three separate blogs. Section one: the hull, decking, rudder and rails.

ABOUT THIS MODEL: Garry's model of the Virgil G. Dean is being constructed from measurements taken originally by H.I.Chapelle in 1942. The Skipjack was built in Cambridge Maryland in 1897.

This vessel carried the bugeye rig of three sails on the dead-rise skipjack type hull. Originally the Dean had her cabin trunk forward and a sunken platform aft. The cabin trunk was moved aft when she had her freeboard raised by 6".

According to Chapelle many early oyster boats had unstayed masts until the advent of the powered dredge winders.

This boat in 1942 only had stay on her foremast. This model is made in the true style of the original deadrise boats. The style is called box construction and being hard chined with cross planked bottom does not require the framing of a round bilged vessel such as the Pungy. This made dead rise boats much more economical to build and maintain.

Planking...A view of the hull receiving her deck planking of scale lumber made in my studio of Basswood. Photo by G. Cerrone

In making Garry's art models, he starts with larger pieces of wood which are planed and sawn to the scale dimensions. When using a conifer such as sugar pine or spruce, he looks for tight grained slow growth stock. A few years ago, Garry found several pieces of just such sugar pine that had aged in his father’s garage for years. This is perfect for planking. His favorite wood, however, is Bass wood. Garry often starts with 5/4 rough dressed bass wood then milled to size. In some models he has used both pine and bass.

In the Virgil G. Dean bass wood is used extensively. One advantage of bass is that it can be made to look like rough weathered wood or a very smooth newly finished surface. If staining is required it takes color well because it does not contain a pitchy sap. The consistency of the wood also makes bass good for the lay up. In assembling his models, Garry often uses wood glue but this requires holding the pieces in place while the glue dries and cures. With such small pieces clamping is often the least efficient holding method so he uses small model railroad spikes to pin lumber in place while the glue works. When the glue has set the spike are removed. The grain consistency of bass makes spiking the mini-timbers less difficult.

Wood being a natural material is subject to changes in humidity. It swells when damp and shrinks when dry. To help keep this atmospheric variation from causing the planking to move a lot, Garry coats the inside of the hull with a marine epoxy which acts as a moisture stabilizer helping to keep checking to a minimum.

The keel from the stern/upside down.

The two pictures above show the planking and the keel installed. Garry uses model railroad spikes for temporary holding until the glue dries. These models average about 300-400 pieces of scale framing and planking just in the basic hull. In the shot of the keel, the deck and all other planking has been sanded to a uniform surface.

Here's a shot of the bow starting to take shape.

Forward log rail being set in place. To attach the rail three types of glue are necessary. I use wood glue, epoxy and Acc depending on the requirements.

View of the unshipped rudder.

Shown above is a view of the unshipped rudder. Counting all of the nut, bolt washer castings , planks and gudgeons etc. There are over thirty pieces making up this detail.

First shot of the Dean without most of the coming details.

The aft rail and rudder in place.

Shot of the Dean bow without most of the coming details.

The pictures above show the Dean without most of the coming details. In these photos her planking is on, sealed with epoxy (inside) and primed. Her masts are set temporarily just to see the proportions. Her jib boom and rudder are on. As on a 1 X 1 version, Garry has worked his way up from the keel.

In section two, Garry will focus on the application of the scale hardware such as windless, deadeyes,anchor, chain plates, dredging gear and the over a dozen blocks needed to complete the model of the Skipjack "Virgil C. Dean".

2011 Marine Folk Art Show- Featuring Traditional American Folk Art by Jac & Patricia Johnson

2011-06-09T10:26:00.000-04:00

Exceptional sternboard carving titled "Mermaid & Sailor" by Jac & Patricia Johnson.

Jac & Patricia Johnson's work is essentially an outgrowth of their lifestyle – grounded in American tradition but thoroughly infused with modern nods to technology and progress. A piece of their work may start with a hand sketch, reworked digitally for scale or size, but will finish under careful consideration of where each knife and chisel mark will make the most impact. Hand working, with traditional tools and techniques proven by time, ensure a true melding of the old with the new.

A weathervane directional in the form of a jellyfish with tentacles by Jac & Patricia Johnson.

The Johnson's have over time shifted their work from period reproductions of antiques to pushing the boundaries of traditional American folk art forms, seeking to explore the association of universal human themes as they relate to traditional folk art and modern 21^st century life. Employing symbolism, and observing the human tendency to dwell on boundaries they use creative manipulation of natural, traditional materials; be it a block of white cedar or a stack of salvaged iron to fashion evocative works that challenge their creativity.

"Lobster" a large wall carving by Jac & Patricia Johnson.

Public and Private collections hold varied works from different periods of their production. From 1991-1996 their focus was creating the best reproduction Southern style working decoys possible. From 1996-2002 they transitioned their work to pure American Folk Art, inspired by classical folk art forms and techniques, heavily influenced by primitives. 2002 saw a change to more one-of-a-kind and limited edition designs and commissions as a response to market changes from the excess of import art, which remains their focus to the present day. This low output, high quality design process has been the most rewarding period of their careers.

"Redfish" Hand carved with great detail and finished by Jac & Patricia Johnson.

The Johnson's studio setting influences their design choices. Their rural community provides inspiration from its wildlife and waterfowl plentiful in the area. The forest and fields around their 100 year old farmhouse in southeastern Virginia provide not only inspiration, but acquired items of yesteryear that can be recycled and repurposed into modern masterpieces of American folk art. Old tin barn roofs become wings for eagles and crows, or a roof and porch for a birdhouse. Vintage porch railing spindles become bases for carved white doves. Old pennies transform into eyes for folk art fish. This wonderful process of rebirth allows for self expression through their art.

“Swimming Mermaid with Starfish and Shells” by Jac & Patricia Johnson.

You can preview the latest creations by the Johnson's at Skipjack Nautical Marine Galleries 2011 Marine Folk Art show (June 3rd through June 29, 2011). You can also see Jac & Patricia Johnson's marine folk art by visiting their page under Skipjack's Marine Art division.

It’s a folksy collection of whales, mermaids, fish, fowl, carvings, paintings, models, trade signs, weathervanes folk and sailor art. Some are whimsical, others memorable, but they are all simply delightful. The 2011 Marine Folk Art Show at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery! The show runs through Wednesday, June 29, 2011. It’s the greatest folk show in town!

*The 2011 Marine Folk Art Show was featured in the summer edition of Sea History Magazine!

Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery is located in Olde Towne Portsmouth on the riverside of the historic Seaboard Railroad Building next to the High Street Basin and ferry landing. Our front doors face the Elizabeth river and are just a few steps away from the historic Hog Island Lighthouse Fresnel lens! Open Monday through Saturday 10AM to 5 PM. Sunday 1PM to 4 PM. Other times by appointment. (757) 399-5012

The 2011 Marine Folk Art Show

2011-06-02T06:38:00.000-04:00

Folk-carved Humpback Whale by Southhampton artist Randy Kolhoff

It’s a folksy collection of whales, mermaids, fish, fowl, carvings, paintings, models, trade signs, weathervanes, folk and sailor art. Some are whimsical, others memorable, but they are all simply delightful. The 2011 Marine Folk Art Show opens this Friday at 5 PM at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery located at One High Street (on the riverfront) as part of Olde Towne Portsmouth’s First Friday Events.

Virginia decoy carver Gentry Childress

Featuring original folk carvings by Randy Kolhoff, Steve Hazlett and Jac & Patricia Johnson, decoy carvings by Gentry Childress, “folky fish” wall art and furnishings by Joe Marinelli, contemporary scrimshaw by Tony Perry as well as other marine artists works. A variety of vintage and antique folk carvings and marine folk items will also be on hand.

Mermaid weathervane by Jac & Patricia Johnson

Scrimshaw artist Tony Perry will also be at Skipjack during opening weekend and decoy carver Gentry Childress will be at Skipjack, Saturday, June 11 throughout the day to demonstrate his fine artwork. Go to Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery’s news/events page at http://www.skipjackmarinegallery.com/ for their complete schedule of artist demonstrations. The 2011 Marine Folk Art Show runs through Wednesday, June 29, 2011. It’s the greatest folk show in town!

Folk art carvings from a previous Skipjack Marine Folk Art Show

*The 2011 Marine Folk Art Show is featured in the summer edition of Sea History Magazine!

Anchor Recovered Believed to be from Blackbeard's 'Queen Anne's Revenge'

2011-05-28T13:50:00.000-04:00

Anchor recovered believed to be from Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge.

An anchor from what's believed to be the wreck of the pirate Blackbeard's flagship has been raised from the ocean floor off the North Carolina coast.

Archaeologists believe the anchor recovered Friday is from the Queen Anne's Revenge, which sank in 1718. That was five months before Blackbeard was killed in a battle.

The artifact is the second-largest item at the shipwreck, outsized only by another anchor.

Researchers retrieved the anchor from the shipwreck about 20 feet under water and were bringing it to shore. The work to retrieve it began last week. The anchor is about 13 feet long and 8 feet across.

The anchor was located on top of other items that the Queen Anne's Revenge project hopes to recover from the central part of the ship. QAR project director Mark Wilde-Ramsing has said the only remaining parts of the ship -- the wooden hull structure, ribs and a plank -- are at the bottom of the pile, protected by ballast that was stored there to keep the ship upright. Six cannon and four anchors are also in the pile.

The Queen Anne's Revenge shipwreck site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, has already yielded more than 250,000 artifacts.

The largest exhibit of artifacts from the shipwreck, which was discovered in 1996, will be shown starting June 11 at the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort. Wilde-Ramsing has said the team hopes to recover all the artifacts by the end of 2012.

In 1717, Blackbeard captured a French slave ship and renamed it Queen Anne's Revenge. Blackbeard, whose real name was widely believed to be Edward Teach or Thatch, settled in Bath and received a governor's pardon. Some experts believe he returned to piracy after growing bored with land life.

Volunteers from the Royal Navy killed him in Ocracoke Inlet in November 1718, five months after the ship thought to be Queen Anne's Revenge sank.

The Queen Anne's Revenge shipwreck site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, has already yielded more than 250,000 artifacts.

Nautical News From Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery

2011-05-05T09:03:00.000-04:00

Skipjack is now open EVERY day!

Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm

Sunday, 1-4pm

Us Navy Wardroom dinner plates, cups and saucers.

New! Just In!

US Navy wardroom china -- bread and dinner plates, bowls, cups and saucers in great condition. Get 'em while they last!

Nautical sailboat jewelry from the Barbara Vincent Collection.

Don't forget . . .

Mother's Day is Sunday!

And Skipjack has plenty of items for the nautical Mom, start shopping in our nautical jewelry department!

Authentic porthole re-purposed into a mirror.

Go green . . .

Incorporate authentic re-purposed ship items into your home. This vintage aluminum porthole makes a fantastic mirror and at a fraction of the weight of brass.

Skipjack's Bloaters Guide

Spring is here (finally!) . . .

And boaters are once again plying the Intracoastal Waterway. We are happy to welcome those that stop at here at "Mile Marker 0" ... many thanks to ActiveCaptain, an interactive online cruising guidebook that has featured Olde Towne Portsmouth in recent newsletters. And Skipjack's own publication, the unofficial Boater's Guide, has become a "must have" for new visitors. Check out the Boater's Guide yourself by stopping at Skipjack or Starboards Coffee Kiosk (it's free!) or check out the latest edition online anytime.

And coming soon . . .

Skipjack is opening its own small chandlery department focusing on sailing vessels and will offer both new and gently used as well as hard to find parts for the vintage sailboat. Skipjack will also have available custom services including sail repair, rigging service including stainless steel standing rigging, lifelines, rope splicing, rope to wire splicing, upholstering and custom woodwork including carving, custom teak grate decking and yacht furniture.

Our calendar is full!

What a great time to be in Olde Towne Portsmouth:

FIRST FRIDAY, May 6, 5-8pm -- Skipjack and other galleries and shops in Olde Towne will be open late with special events and refreshments. At Skipjack author Debbiann Holmes will be signing her new book, "Compromises" and master scrimshander Tony Perry will be demonstrating his art.

FIRST WEEKEND, May 7-8 -- Author Debbiann Holmes will be on deck to sign books this Saturday from 11am to 3pm and scrimshander Tony Perry will be at Skipjack throughout the day Saturday and Sunday demonstrating the art of scrimshaw.

Gosport Arts Festival, Saturday and Sunday, May 7-8 -- Over 150 juried artists and artisans will be spread from High Street Landing for five blocks up High Street.

Farmer's Market, Saturday, May 7 -- Now every Saturday through November! Court and High Streets

Antiques to Flea Market, Saturday, May 7 -- Visit this monthly opportunity for treasure hunting in the Middle Street Garage, corner of Middle and London Streets.

Children's Museum of Virginia, Thursday, May 26 -- Grand re-opening!

Mark your calendars!

Skipjack's "Marine Folk Art Show" is back by popular demand! Opening Friday, June 3 and running til July. It’s a folksy collection of whales, mermaids, fish, fowl, carvings, paintings, models, textile, seashells, scrimshaw, sailor art and signs. Some are whimsical, others memorable, but they are all simply delightful. "It’s the greatest folk show in town!"
More information on these events and others is available through the #1 blog in Hampton Roads: http://www.anewdayinoldetowne.com/

See you soon!

And remember, you can shop at Skipjack anytime online at www.SkipjackNauticalWares.com !

Alison & Joe Elder

Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery

One High Street Portsmouth, Virginia 23704

(757) 399-5012

Summer Hours:

Monday-Saturday, 10am - 5pm

Sunday, 1-4pm

Additional times by appointment

www.SkipjackNauticalWares.com

Skipjack Nautical Wares & marine Gallery is located in the quaint historic seaport of Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia on the Elizabeth Riverfront, next to the Hog Island Light Fresnel Lens Exhibit Pavilion and adjacent to the High Street basin.

New Marine Art & Nautical Furnishing Arrivals This Week at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery

2011-04-06T05:31:00.000-04:00

Liberty Ship Hatch Cover Table

Liberty Ship Hatch Cover Table

Authentic re-purposed nautical end table made from a half section of a WWII era Liberty Ship hatch cover. Made of thick pine boards with heavy metal band on one end and half cup cut-out with metal band (used to hook cable to lift cover from hatch). Custom pine pedestal base stained to match top. Table marked on bottom "Snyder of Carolina". Top measures 27 X 27 inches and stands 23 inches tall.

These make attractive nautical end tables for sofas and beds. We currently have two of these matching tables in stock. For more information, go to: Authentic Liberty Ship Hatch CoverTable

Stingray Point Lighthouse

"Stingray Point Lighthouse and Marina" by Virginia artist Bill Allen. Watercolor on paper measuring 20 1/2 X 26 1/2 inches (view) and 29 X 35 inches framed. Painting of the String Ray Point Lighthouse that was dismantled in 1965 (see history below) together with the sign of the famous Sting Ray Point Marina, Deltaville's premier sailboat marina located near the mouth of Broad Creek, providing access to both the Chesapeake Bay and Rappahannock River. Doubled matted and cherry wood frame.

"Stingray Point Lighthouse and Marina" by Virginia artist Bill Allen.

About Stingray Point Lighthouse

Stingray Point Lighthouse was built in 1858 at the entrance to the Rappahannock River near Deltaville, Virginia. It was a hexagonal screwpile lighthouse. The lighthouse was automated just prior to being dismantled in 1965. Sections of the lighthouse were sold to Gilbert Purcell, a boatyard owner who hoped to rebuild the lighthouse on land, but never did. It was replaced with a steel skeletal tower build on the original foundation.

Stingray Point Lighthouse

An excerpt from a report to the Light House Board in 1865 “The light has been restored at Stingray Point, after making certain needful repairs to the screw-pile structure, which though plundered of all movable articles, was but slightly injured.” The report does not say whether damage and plundering was due to Confederates.

Stingray Point received its name from Captain John Smith, founder of Jamestown, Virginia. It is said that a stingray stung him while fishing near the point.

Authentic Vintage Ships Masthead Light

Solid cast brass vintage 360 degree ships masthead light. The glass Fresnel clear glass globe survives in good original condition with only a few minor chip infractions on the lens. Measures 11 1/2 inches tall and 9 1/2 inches wide and weighs right at 20 pounds. The weather tight hatch top is secured with three bolts. The base has three bolt mounting holes measure about 4 3/4 inches on center from each other. Retains four interior porcelain sockets that are still functional or can be replaced with new sockets if desired. We've left this fixture with it's old mellowed brass patina, but could be polished for a bright finish.

Authentic Vintage Ships Masthead Light

This masthead light fixture can be easily used today as a post light, deck or dock light and can also be turned upside down for ceiling light. A great multi-use authentic ship light re-purposed for todays coastal home. Inside or out, this solid brass light will last forever, and it is weather tight.

Three Sail Bateau Half Hull Model "Virgil G. Dean"

Three Sail Bateau Half Hull Model "Virgil G. Dean

Handcrafted and half hull model of the three sail Bateau "Virgil G. Dean" made by Virginia artist Doug Wehner. This highly detailed half hull is completely made of wood and features a realistic painted surface. The black-painted wooden back plaque measures 7 X 24 inches and is attached with a brass plate in the lower right corner stating THREE SAIL BATEAU "VIRGIL G. DEAN" BUILT 1897. LENGTH ON DECK: 40' 6".

Vintage Lovell Brass Passageway Lights

Vintage Lovell Brass Passageway Lights

Vintage brass passageway or engine room lights produced by F.H. Lovell & Co. Arlington, N.J. recently removed from the cargo ship SS EXPORT BAY (click on link for additional information and history). Each light is stamped F.H. Lovell & Co. Arlington N.J. on the brass cage ring. These authentic brass fixtures feature standard bezel type clear glass globes and bezel style heavy brass wire cages. Lights like these were used in common work areas of the ship as well as passageways. Their housing is made of heavy cast brass and weighs 6 pounds each. The height of each light is 9 1/4 inches to the top of the cage and 4 1/2 inches in diameter. Comes re-wired with new 110-120 UL Listed fixture and ready for installation! We have nine matching in stock from the SS Export Bay available and three other matching Lovell passageway lights that accompanied the collection.

cargo ship SS EXPORT BAY

These vintage lights are the perfect fixture for both indoor and outdoor use. Can be used outdoors for deck lights, post lights, dock lights and porch lights. They're also perfect for indoor use anywhere that you need a great nautical fixture. These are also a favorite for restaurant use as booth lights and bar lights! Truly the finest made light fixtures designed to withstand the harsh conditions of oceangoing and other maritime vessels.

Need more than a couple of lights? Call us at (757) 399-5012 to discuss current inventory and best match.

We can ship up to two of these fixtures by USPS Priority Mail- medium flat rate box anywhere in the USA for $10.95.

"The Nellie Byrd"

The Skipjack "Nellie Byrd" painted by Eastern Shore of Maryland marine artist Mary Ekroos. Oil on canvas measuring 20 X 24 inches. Gilt finished wood frame.

The Skipjack "Nellie Byrd" painted by Mary Ekroos.

ABOUT THE "NELLIE BYRD"

This vessel is a 53.6' long, two-sail bateau, or V-bottomed deadrise type of centerboard sloop, commonly referred to as a skipjack. Built in Oriole, Maryland, in 1911 for the oyster dredging fleet, she is Bay-built using cross-planked construction methods. She has a beam of 26.7', a depth of 4.8', and a net tonnage of 18 tons. She carries a typical skipjack rig with a jib-headed mainsail laced to the boom and carried on wood hoops at the mast, and a single large jib with a club on its foot. The hull is painted the traditional white. The vessel has a longhead bow with a slightly raking stem and a wide, square transom stern with considerable rake. The stern shows a long, shallow tuck where the chine meets the transom. The vessel is particularly wide amidships, giving her generous work space on deck. The rudder is carried outboard on pintles mounted on the transom and skeg; the jig for the pushboat is set on the starboard side of the transom. The hull has heavy ice sheathing carried well above the waterline. The boat is flush-decked. From the stern forward deck structures include: a box over the steering gear; a cabin with a slide offset to port; a small hatch; a box over the winders; a main hatch; and a medium-sized cuddy with a slide, located just aft of the mast. There is a low taffrail surrounding the deck, higher at the stern. The pipes of the rail and the davits for the pushboat are painted white. The single mast is well-raked aft, about 15 to 20 degrees, and is set up with double shrouds and turnbuckles. There are also a forestay, jibstay, topping lift, and lazyjacks. The boom is jawed to the mast; both mast and boom are natural oiled wood. The bowsprit is hexagonal, round at its end. It is set up with one chain and one cable bobstay, and two chain bowsprit shrouds. The boom is set high and is patched with metal strips. The pushboat is carried on pipe davits over the stern. Decorations include trailboards mounted on the longhead, with the name NELLIE L. BYRD in gold on a green field with a red surround, and eagle, flag, and arrow motifs on the nameboards at the bow, the name is painted red on a black ground. There is a painted eagle billet-head on the longhead.

The Skipjack "Nellie Byrd"

Significance: This vessel is significant as being one of the 35 surviving traditional Chesapeake Bay skipjacks and a member of the last commercial sailing fleet in the United States. Out of a fleet of hundreds of skipjacks that worked Bay waters in the early years of this century, today only this small number remain to carry on the tradition of working sail. NELLIE BYRD is of interest as being one of the older skipjacks still dredging in the Chesapeake fleet. She was built in 1911 in Oriole, Maryland, following traditional Bay-area design and construction methods. She has worked in the oyster-dredging fleet since her building. For many years NELLIE BYRD was owned by Capt. William Todd of Cambridge and, at 53 1/2' long, was the largest skipjack in Dorchester County. A trio of skipjacks, owned and skippered by the Todd family, was for many years based in Cambridge. Capt. William Todd's brother Wilson owned the SALLY BRAMBLE and his brother Emerson, the REBECCA T. RUARK.

Authentic Vintage Nautical Lighting- Reclaimed and Repurposed for Today's Coastal Home

2011-03-30T13:03:00.000-04:00

Reclaimed and re-purposed nautical lighting, perfect for all types of uses for today's coastal home.

If there is one statement that we make that stands uncontested it is that there is no finer light fixture on the market that can rival the quality of these authentic brass caged passageway lights. These fixtures were designed to withstand the harsh conditions aboard oceangoing and other maritime vessels and have proven over the course of time to be the best.

Passageway/engine room light fixture produced by F.H. Lovell and Co. of Arlington New Jersey.

These vintage brass caged passageway or engine room lights were produced by the F.H. Lovell & Co. of Arlington, N.J. and recently removed from the cargo ship SS EXPORT BAY (see history below). Each light is stamped F.H. Lovell & Co. Arlington N.J. on the brass cage ring. These authentic brass fixtures feature standard bezel type clear glass globes and heavy brass wire cages. Lights like these were used in common work areas on board the ship as well as it's numerous passageways. Their housing is made of heavy cast brass and weigh a hefty 6 pounds each.

Authentic vintage passageway or engine room lights by F.H. Lovell and Co. of Arlington, N.J

Shown above-Bezel style brass cage, cast brass housing and clear glass cover.

The height of each light is 9 1/4 inches to the top of the cage and 4 1/2 inches in diameter. Comes with a replaced 110-120 UL-Listed socket and ready for installation! We have nine matching in stock reclaimed from the SS Export Bay available and three other matching Lovell passageway lights that accompany the collection.

These high quality light fixtures are perfect for deck and dock lighting.

These reclaimed vintage ship lights are the perfect high quality fixture re-purposed for both indoor and outdoor use. They can be used outdoors for walkways and driveways, deck lights, post lights, dock lights, porch lights and more. They're also perfect for indoor use anywhere that you need a great nautical fixture. These are also a favorite for restaurant use as booth lights and bar lights! Truly the finest made light fixtures designed to withstand the harsh conditions of oceangoing and other maritime vessels and today's coastal home!

Perfect for walkways, gardens and other outdoor lighting.

We also have large quantities of other authentic vintage caged passageway lights available at Skipjack such as these slightly smaller sized cast brass fixtures. You may also want to preview our other selections of authentic ship lighting on our web store under MARINE, MARITIME, NAUTICAL LAMPS & LIGHTING.

Need more than a couple of lights? Call us at (757) 399-5012 to discuss current inventory. These will sell fast!

We can ship up to two of these fixtures by USPS Priority Mail- medium flat rate box anywhere in the USA for $10.95.

History of the SS Export Bay

Starboard view of the cargo ship SS Export Bay

Laid down in 1961 by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego as the MARAD type C3-S-46a breakbulk cargo ship SS Export Bay, this ship entered service with American Export Lines on their US Gulf-Western Europe route. 1978 to Farrell Lines, 1984 laid up in Reserve Fleet renamed Bay.

Serving in the commercial trades for her entire life, the Export Bay was turned over to MARAD in 1983 with her four sister ships but was never activated with the Military Sealift Command as her sisters were.

Retained at Suisan Bay under the name 'Bay'.

Retained at Suisun Bay under the name Bay as a parts hulk for her Ready Reserve Fleet sister ships, the Bay was sold for scrapping at Bay Bridge Enterprises of Chesapeake, VA in March 2011 after her three sisters were disposed of in 2010.

The Bay is the first Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet ship that Bay Bridge Enterprises of Chesapeake, Va., (will have) recycled for the Maritime Administration,” said Cheron Victoria Wicker, director of the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs for MARAD, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Stern view of the SS Export Bay.

“Their contract award for recycling the Bay was based upon price, performance schedule, and past performance,” she said, saying the company agreed to do the job for $397,182.

Though this is the first Suisun Bay ship the company has recycled for MARAD, it has recycled obsolete ships from the James River Reserve Fleet. The company has been a MARAD contractor since 2002 and has been qualified to bid on obsolete ships since 2005.

Gutzon Borglum Commemorative Tondo "Remember the Maine" Up for Auction

2011-02-10T16:40:00.000-05:00

Gutzon Borglum (1871-1941) “Remember the Maine”

I received an interesting phone call today at our gallery Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery from an unknown source notifying me of a major historical commemorative tondo marquetry carving coming up for auction next week in Madrid, Spain. The caller was pretty adamant about having the piece purchased and brought back to the United States where it belongs instead of potentially having it purchased and remaining in Spain. That's the reason for writing this blog, so for all of you Spanish American collectors and museums take notice.

The auction house Alcala Subastas lists this item in their February 16 & 17, 2011 auction catalog, lot # 206 with the description: Gutzon Borglum (1871-1941) “Remember the Maine” Tondo commemorating the victims of the sinking of the battleship Maine in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898. Tropical wood marquetry depicting the American eagle on the obverse and the reverse geometric marquetry woods. A tondo is a Renaissance term for a circular work of art, either a painting or a sculpture. The word derives from the Italian rotondo, "round." This tondo measures 91 cm. in diameter or a hair shy of 36 inches, is inscribed around the outer edge, "ONLY THOSE FIT TO LIVE DO NOT FEAR TO DIE" and "HABANA YACHT CLUB" below.

Many collectors may ask "so what's so special about this piece? Thousands of items were produced after the end of the Spanish American War celebrating America’s coming out party as a world power." Read my recent blog titled "Spanish American War Collectibles- USS Maine & USS Olympia Frosted Glass Windows". What makes this item special is that it is a commissioned piece produced for the Habana Yacht Club by the famous American sculpture Gutzon Borglum. For those of you not familiar with Borglum, he was the artist that created the monumental presidents' heads at Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, the famous carving on Stone Mountain near Atlanta, as well as other public works of art. Here's a link to Wikipedia about (John) Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum.

Photograph of Gutzon Borglum, circa 1919.

This is all that we have been able to put together (quickly) in order to get the word out in a timely manner. Please let us know if you have any other information to include about this Borglum work of art. We also hope this information will encourage an American buyer to pursue this exceptional piece and bring it back to the USA. So, if you're interested in this item and buy it, please send me an E-mail and let us know. Good luck!

Marine Art at Skipjack: Featuring Impressionist Marine Paintings by Sandy Nelson

2011-02-05T11:45:00.000-05:00


"Sailing the Bay" by Sandy Nelson. oil on panel, 12x16

"Sailing the Bay" by Sandy Nelson. oil on panel, 12x16

"A beautiful summer day on the Chesapeake Bay is the perfect backdrop for a painting. I never cease to be amazed, and a little bit jealous, at the number of boats out enjoying the freedom of sailing. Often I try to feel the wind in the sails and the joy of feeling the open water when I'm painting."

Featuring Impressionist Marine Art by North Carolina artist Sandy Nelson

Sandy Nelson's influences in her art are as diverse as the great Spanish, Russian and French impressionists to a childhood amid the dark hills of eastern Kentucky. In the latter she found a sincere appreciation for the beauty of the world around her, in the former, inspiration to express it. Sandy's work is not edgy nor avant-garde; it doesn’t follow fads or trends – it is simply truth, as she perceive it. That is what she hopes the viewer takes away with them.

The subjects of her painting may be a cloud, a boat, a figure or bowl of fruit – one is as monumental as another. The paintings are memories of a moment in time, a representation of her emotions and ideas, which is transferred to the viewer. In her studio she live with these words, which remind her that it is truly a gift to be an artist.

"Summerwind" by Sandy Nelson, oil on canvas measuring 24 X 36 inches.

"Summerwind" by Sandy Nelson, oil on canvas measuring 24 X 36 inches.

"In mid-summer, the winds beckon sailors to sail the marshes and intracoastal waters. A lazy afternoon is all that's needed to beckon participants out onto the water of the intracoastals"

"I believe in Michelangelo, Velasquez and Rembrandt; in the might of design, the mystery of color, the redemption of all things by Beauty everlasting and the message of art that has made these hands blessed: Amen. Amen." Bernard Shaw.

Most of Sandy Nelson's works were created in the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina, her home away from home and in the coastal area of Wilmington and the Cape Fear which stretches along the coast to South Carolina.


“Weekend Sailing” by Sandy Nelson. Oil on panel measuring 12x16 inches.

“Weekend Sailing” by Sandy Nelson. Oil on panel measuring 12x16 inches.

"To me, boats, especially sailboats, are floating sculpture. I love the way they move over the water and punctuate the sky, the way the sails reflect color and move with the wind. I imagine the sailors on them have a different way of enjoying them. What a way to spend a weekend!"

She maintains her studio in Leland, NC but travels extensively to paint. She is a member of ASOPA, the New Mexico Pastel Society, Pastel Society of the Southwest, Midwest Pastel Society and Women Artists of the West.

Biography: Sandy Nelson has been a professional artist for many years. She studied Fine Art and painting at the University of KY and the Scottsdale Art School. Her portraits and landscapes have been accepted to national juried competitions from Maine to California, many winning national awards. Her work is included in over 60 corporate and museum collections including those of Sam Walton, founder of Walmart and George Steinbrenner, owner of the NY Yankees. She was named one of the top 200 artists by the Artists Magazine and has been profiled in “The Rotarian” an international publication. One of Nelson's portraits was the cover of “Bench & Bar” magazine in 2007 and one of her marsh landscapes graced the cover of “Carolina Art” magazine in 2008.

You can preview Sandy Nelson's artwork by following this link here to Sandy Nelson on Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Galleries -Marine Art Gallery. Sandy Nelson's marine paintings were also recently featured on Nautical Art Blogspot.

Spanish American War Collectibles- USS Maine & USS Olympia Frosted Glass Windows

2011-01-28T15:30:00.002-05:00

Spanish American War commemorative frosted glass window depicting the USS MAINE

A while ago an associate of ours brought in to Skipjack this antique architectural window that they had bought for a room of a previous residence that they owned. The etched artwork of this famous U.S. Navy battleship is impressive and the window frame is a wonderful architectural piece from the turn of the last century. Though unquestionably a period window made around the time of the Spanish American War, there's no provenance included concerning the maker or it's original use.

So here's a question for you American naval history buffs. What is the history of this etched glass window depicting the USS MAINE? Was it possibly a window panel from the ship itself? This is what we recently discovered about this rare Spanish American War item.

I was recently watching a re-run of the PBS program "The History Detectives," an episode that I had not seen before that certainly piqued my curiosity. The case was from season 6, episode 7 that originally aired on PBS August 11, 2008 titled "USS OLYMPIA GLASS." The History Detective Wes Cowan had traveled to to a farmhouse in Fremont, Nebraska to examine an elaborately designed etched glass window of the USS OLYMPIA. The owner, Earl Pederson wanted to know if this fragile glass door once took part in a decisive battle during the Spanish-American War.

HISTORY: On February 15, 1898, the battleship USS Maine exploded in Cuba’s Havana harbor killing 260 American officers, sailors, and marines. The U.S. government and media blamed Spain for the atrocity, giving expansionists a reason for war. A nation divided over expansion now united against a common enemy. On the morning of May 1, 1898, Commodore George Dewey steams into Manila Bay in the Philippines for a critical confrontation with the main fleet of the Spanish empire. For the next seven hours, the harbor is set ablaze in a barrage of exploding shells. When the battle is over, the world has been transformed. Ten Spanish ships have been destroyed, and the naval might of the once-great Spanish empire lies in ruins. Dewey’s victory in turn launches America onto the world stage. He returns home a national hero.

Now, on a salvaged door installed in an old farmhouse, the owner thinks he may have part of Commodore Dewey’s flagship – a window salvaged from the historic vessel.

Spanish American War commemorative frosted glass window depicting the USS OLYMPIA.

Earl had written a letter and sent it to the museum and got the reply back that this window was from Admiral Dewey’s quarters. In 1977 he made a rubbing of the window and mailed it to the Cruiser Olympia Association, a nonprofit group of veterans and enthusiasts who were then in charge of preserving the retired ship. The association told Earl that they believed the window had once been on the ship, and may even have seen action in the Philippines. They acknowledged that they couldn't pinpoint the exact date the window would have been installed onboard. Numerous alterations were made to the Olympia throughout its naval history. But they were confident that the window is authentic.

After meetings with USS OLYMPIA experts, the consensus is that this kind of a glass window could have been aboard the Olympia at that particular time. The Olympia was built specifically to be the flagship of the Asiatic squadron, the Captain’s and Admiral’s cabin particularly were replete with the finery of decoration that were all necessary for entertaining dignitaries.

This led the detectives to a meeting with Jesse Lebvoics, the manager of the USS OLYMPIA now permanently docked at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia for his opinion. It’s possible. The ship has refit several times, most aggressively in 1901-1902 where a lot of the ornate wood work and various other pieces were removed.

Jesse referred to the original 1895 as-built blueprints and the spaces that are mentioned in that letter from the Cruisers Association: the Admiral’s cabin and the Captain’s cabin. The only window on the prints is located on the outside of the cabin. They measured the opening that turned out to be smaller than the 24 X 24 inch glass window. A second location not on the drawings was measured, but again the dimensions were wrong, concluding the there was no place on board that the window would have fit on this vessel.

So the mystery deepens. Craig Bruns at the Independence Seaport Museum was next on the list. So History Detectives contacted him to see if he could help find an answer to the history of the window.

Craig explains that this was America’s coming out party as a world power, and Dewey was the face of
that glory. Dewey’s image became the hottest selling item…and in the postwar jubilation, even many of those
Americans once against war and expansion were caught up in Dewey-mania. Commemorative items of all types were produced in large numbers from dime store items to advertising products...everyone wanted to be on board. The window is just another piece of Dewey mania. From the smallest town to the biggest city, citizens had to have a Dewey artifact to express their patriotism: it was part of being American. But the glass window is an extremely rare Dewey memento. Most collectors haven’t seen anything like it, and remarkably, it’s survived intact for over a century.

M. A. Disbrow & Company, located at 1201 Nicholas Street, Omaha, Nebraska.

Since the airing of this episode of the "History Detectives" approximately six other examples of these windows have been reported to the staff at History Detectives. One person had some important information to share. He showed a catalog from M. A. Disbrow & Company, located at 1201 Nicholas Street, Omaha, Nebraska. This company specialized (as advertised on the sides of their attached buildings) "window & door frames, building & roofing paper, mouldings, sash, doors, blinds." Among a number of patriotic etched windows was the very same of the USS Olympia.

Etched glass window of the USS MAINE recently sold at auction.

Another etched glass window depicting the USS MAINE was recently sold at auction. The description from the auction stated: C.1898 EXCEEDINGLY RARE ETCHED GLASS WINDOW USS MAINE
the glass is very detailed with etching of the USS MAINE that allows for a frosted and clear effect with period detailing. The window was purchased from the Rogers Bank Building in Nebraska which was built in 1894 and closed in the early 1930s after the depression years forced the doors to close.

Follow the link here to information about the architectural window with etched glass of the "USS MAINE" at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery.

Follow this link here to watch the episode "USS OLYMPIA GLASS" on PBS "History Detectives."

Antique architectural window with frosted and etched glass depicting the "USS MAINE" at Skipjack.

Follow this link to read more about the USS MAINE window at Skipjack

Handmade Bellropes and Lanyards- A Sailor's Art

2011-01-21T05:57:00.003-05:00

Schooner Virginia ship's bell with lanyard. Photo by Diane Murphy.

The bellrope, also refered to as a bell pull or bell lanyard is a piece of fancy work attached to the clanger of a ship's bell. It is a necessary accoutrement to the ship's bell, both for function as a way to ring the bell as well as ornamentation as a symbol of pride.

According to Vince Brennan of Frayed Knot Artworks, the ship’s bell is considered the 'heart' of a ship. Ship's bells are almost mystical objects, especially for as superstitious a lot as are sailors. They are polished before all other items and are the last thing to be removed when a ship is decommissioned or scrapped. US Navy vessels have their names engraved on their bells and when a ship is struck from the list, the last Commanding Officer usually receives the bell for safekeeping.

Bell lanyard made by Vince Brennan for the Zuni Maritime Foundation. Photo by Joe Elder

For information about 12 inch ship's bell bellrope or lanyard by Vince Brennan (pictured above) follow this link to this item at Skipjack Nautical Wares Nautical Hardware.

The bell-rope is a symbol of the Pride in the ship taken by the crew... battleships and other major vessels will usually have the fanciest bell-ropes, often the product of several hundred hours of labor by one or more expert knotters. The more detail and embellishments, the more respect it engenders.

Exceptional bell lanyard by Marty Combs.

Crafting fancy rope knot work such as bell lanyards was mastered by sailors during the height of sea trade in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. For long extended times, sometimes years, a sailor was at sea.

On whaling expeditions, little of that time in comparison was actual whaling work and sometimes months would pass between sightings. Sailors had hours upon end of idle time and some chose to create trinkets and art. Examples of sailor’s art work are: scrimshawed whale’s teeth and bone, fancy rope knot work, wood and ivory carvings such as whimsies, cane heads, pie crimpers, pipe tampers, fids (made for splicing rope) swifts (yarn winders), corset busks and many more interesting and beautiful pieces.

Handmade fancy knotwork bellrope or lanyard by Joe McNelis.

For information about handmade fancy knotwork bellrope or lanyard by Joe McNelis, follow this link to the item at Skipjack Nautical Wares Nautical Hardware.

Whether you desire to dress up your ship's bell on the finely fitted yacht or simply a bell hanging by your door, handcrafted bell lanyards are symbolic as a part of maritime tradition and pride.

Visit Skipjack Nautical Wares Nautical Hardware for our current selection of handmade fancy knotwork bell lanyards available today for your ship's bell.

New Marine Paintings by J. Robert Burnell- Exhibit Runs Through Saturday, January 22, 2011

2011-01-16T06:45:00.001-05:00

"Winona Morning" watercolor on paper by J. Robert Burnell

Final Week of the J. Robert Burnell Marine Art Exhibit.

Show ends Saturday, January 22, 2011.

Portsmouth marine artist J. Robert Burnell grew up around the water in a family of watermen, and sailing his own boat since he was ten years old. He has sailed on nearly every type of workboat on the Chesapeake Bay. It's no wonder that Burnell's love of the water reflects so naturally in his nautical themed paintings.

You won't have to go far to see one of the largest collections of Burnell's marine art all in one exhibit. Over 20 new acrylic and watercolor paintings by J. Robert Burnell will be on display and for sale in the 'foyer gallery' at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery at One High Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth. You will also be able to preview some of his nautical artwork on our web gallery at Skipjack's Marine Art Gallery throughout the event. Just click on the words printed above in red.

The exhibit opened Friday, December 3, 2010 as part of Olde Towne Portsmouth Virginia's monthly 'First Friday' event. The exhibit runs through Saturday, January 22, 2011.

"Headin Home" acrylic on canvas by J. Robert Burnell

Award-winning artist J. Robert Burnell is recognized for his vivid depictions of life on and around the Chesapeake Bay. The subject is his favorite - each piece open and honest, providing a unique understanding of its mood and people.

One of the keys to Burnell's success on the canvas is the work he does outside the studio. Burnell believes in details. They are a reflection of his work. He has amassed a library of thousands of slides and photographs of work boats to which he constantly refers to for accuracy of detail.

Among his favorite subjects are the working boats and marine scenes of New England and the Maritime Provinces of Canada. He is equally conscientious of historical correctness, researching every object’s time, place and use. Each piece open and honest, providing a unique understanding of its mood and people.

About the Artist - J. Robert Burnell

"Evening Tide" watercolor on paper by J. Robert Burnell

Burnell began studies in architecture at Georgia Institute of Technology, studied printmaking at Old Dominion University, and participated in independent studies with John Pike, Edgar Whitney, Ed Betts, Don Stone, Rex Brandt, Robert Bateman and George Post.

From 1972 to 2002, Burnell was an instructor of watercolor painting at Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth, and has led summer workshops in watercolor and acrylic painting for over 30 years. He is a member of the American Society of Marine Artists and is listed in Archibald’s Dictionary of Sea Painters.

During his career, J. Robert Burnell has won numerous art awards including eight “Best in Show.” He has been honored with solo museum exhibitions at The Courthouse Galleries in Portsmouth and the Reedville Fisherman’s Museum, and group shows at the Rawls Museum Arts and Virginia Lifesaving Museum.

In addition to museum shows, Burnell had annual solo exhibitions at Atlantic Gallery in Washington D.C. during its operation. Other gallery exhibitions of his work have been offered by River Gallery in Chesapeake, VA., Cudahy’s Gallery in Richmond, VA., Turtle Creek Gallery in Dallas, TX., and Vincent Hester Gallery in Portsmouth, VA,. His work is also shown in the Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT., and Skipjack Marine Gallery in Portsmouth, VA.

His work is included in several museum and major corporate collections. Among them are the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, Old Ebbitt Grill (Clyde’s Restaurants, Inc.), Branch Bank & Trust, Inc., Towne Bank, Bank of America, Inc., Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Nature Conservancy of Virginia, Bons Secours Health Systems, Inc. and Leesylvania State Park.

He was selected to create the signature painting for OpSail 2000, for the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race in 2002, and three times for Norfolk’s Harborfest. Additionally, his work was selected for exhibition in the 2007 Mystic International at the Maritime Gallery of Mystic Seaport Museum.

When Robert Burnell is not painting boats, he continues to maintain and sail one of his own. You just might see him out on the Elizabeth River.

Happy New Years!

2011-01-01T14:41:00.000-05:00

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did so. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Mark Twain~

Happy New Years from us old salts

at Skipjack!

Nautical Dog Collars at Skipjack

2010-12-23T16:27:00.059-05:00

Our dog Chance models a nautical signal flag dog collar.

Dress up your salty dog with Skipjack's nautical pet collars, leashes and harnesses featuring a great selection of colorful nautical-themed ribbon designs on durable nylon webbing for comfort and easy care. Nautical dog collars at Skipjack.

Our selection of nautical dog collars at Skipjack

Collars feature Delrin Acetal side release buckles for ease of fastening and separating and solid nickel plated “D” rings for strength, are available in three widths and are all easily adjusted for length. Our matching leashes feature strong nickel-plated swivel snaps. All of Skipjack's nylon webbing products are easy to clean and perfect for the boating and coastal lifestyle. Just wash with mild detergent (not bleach), rinse well and hang to dry. Perfect for your nautical dog and cat too! Produced in Massachusetts, USA.

Click here for nautical dog collars at Skipjack.

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Solid Brass Ship's Bell from Skipjack

2010-12-21T09:17:00.000-05:00

Looking for a high quality great sounding bell at an affordable price? Skipjack's 7 inch diameter solid brass ship's bell is truly one of the finest on the market. These cast brass bells are polished to a mirror finish and produce a rich and long lasting tone when struck- truly the finest ring tone for a bell in this price range- perfect for your boat, coastal home and office.

Skipjack's yacht bell- the finest nautical brass ship's bell on the market.

In our book a bell is all about the sound that it makes when struck. We've carried hundreds of bells through the years; both old and new and this particular bell rates with the best. A great bell creates a high quality, long lasting tone when struck, similar to a fine musical instrument. The majority of bells on the market today looks great, but sounds like a child's toy or even as bad as an inverted can. Be choosy about what you adorn on your boat or home. This is it! Ship's bell at Skipjack.

Skipjack's yacht bell comes with a cast brass bulkhead or wall bracket that allows the bell to be easily mounted for use and lifted to remove and stow away. Measures 7" wide and 4 1/2 inches tall and weighs 3.4 pounds. The bell is perfect for yachts up to 12 meters- (39.4 feet in total length- Vessels over 12 meters requires a larger bell)

You can also dress it up with one of Skipjacks hand-tied fancy ropework bell lanyards- perfect for the finely fitted yacht and nautical home.

9" X 12" high gloss mahogany plaque shown with Skipjack's 7' ship's bell and fancy ropework lanyard.

Our high gloss mahogany plaque is perfect for mounting our 7" ship's bell for military retirement gifts and other special occasions. It measures 9" X 12" and comes with an engraveable brass plate. Engraving services are available for an additional $10.00. Mahogany awards and presentation plaque.

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New Marine Paintings by J. Robert Burnell: Exhibit Opens December 3, 2010 at Skipjack

2010-11-30T04:49:00.002-05:00

"Winona Morning" watercolor on paper by J. Robert Burnell

Portsmouth artist J. Robert Burnell grew up around the water in a family of watermen, and sailing his own boat since he was ten years old. He has sailed on nearly every type of workboat on the Chesapeake Bay. It's no wonder that Burnell's love of the water reflects so naturally in his marine paintings.

You won't have to go far to see one of the largest collections of Burnell's marine art all in one exhibit. Over 20 new acrylic and watercolor paintings by J. Robert Burnell will be on display and for sale in the 'foyer gallery' at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery at One High Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth. You will also be able to preview his nautical artwork on Skipjack's web gallery in conjunction with the show opening.

The exhibit opens Friday, December 3, 2010 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. during Olde Towne Portsmouth Virginia's monthly 'First Friday' event. The exhibit runs through January 25, 2011.

"Headin Home" acrylic on canvas by J. Robert Burnell

Award-winning artist J. Robert Burnell is recognized for his vivid depictions of life on and around the Chesapeake Bay. The subject is his favorite - each piece open and honest, providing a unique understanding of its mood and people.

One of the keys to Burnell's sucess on the canvas is the work he does outside the studio. Burnell believes in details. They are a reflection of his work. He has amassed a library of thousands of slides and photographs of work boats to which he constantly refers to for accuracy of detail.

Among his favorite subjects are the working boats and marine scenes of New England and the Maritime Provinces of Canada. He is equally conscientious of historical correctness, researching every object’s time, place and use. Each piece open and honest, providing a unique understanding of its mood and people.

About the Artist - J. Robert Burnell

"Evening Tide" watercolor on paper by J. Robert Burnell

Nautical Jewelry- Sail Away With Classic Designs From Skipjack

2010-11-28T13:13:00.042-05:00

NEW Sea pendants by Patty Anderson

Set sail in style with Skipjack's collection of nautical and beach inspired jewelry- perfect for everyday wear and your passion for nautical/coastal living.
You'll adore our selection of woman's elegantly crafted nautical-themed jewelry including sterling silver sailboat necklaces and earrings by Barbara Vincent and distinctively coastal and beach designed creations by Patty Anderson and Betty Burnell. You can see our total nautical jewelry collection on our web gallery at Skipjack Nautical Wares.

Pictured above: NEW pewter beach jewelry "sea pendants" by Patty Anderson. Comes with silk ribbon. Pendants measure 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inches. $28.00

"Something Fishy" a custom made necklace with matching earrings by Betty Burnell

Sterling silver chain, betelnut beads, Hill Tribe silver fish. "Something Fishy" is an original beach creation by Betty Burnell from her Coastal Collection. Necklace with matching earrings. $165.00 with free shipping!

Silver sand dollar earrings by Patty Anderson

Delicate but beautiful replicas of a treasure from the beach by Patty Anderson. These sand dollar earrings compliment any beach-inspired apparel and also matches Patty Anderson's exquisite sand dollar belt. $36.00.

Sea life charm bracelet from Barbara Vincent.

The Sea Life sterling silver charm bracelet with nine under-the-sea sterling silver charms. From the Barbara Vincent Collection $120.00 and free shipping.

Sterling silver schooner pendant by Barbara Vincent

The sterling silver Schooner pendant. The Schooner is all dressed up under full sail and is polished to a mirror finish. A perfect item to dress up your wardrobe. Available with sterling silver snake chain in varying lengths and matching sterling silver earrings. $44.00

Rope sterling silver earrings by Barbara Vincent

Sterling silver hoop earrings with a nautical rope design from the Barbara Vincent Collection. Polished to a mirror finish.

Sterling silver sheepshank earrings by Betty Burnell

Seriously seaworthy nautical jewelry! Sterling silver sheepshank earrings by Betty Burnell. $90.00

"HOPE" sterling silver nautical sailboat pendant by Barbara Vincent.

"Hope" nautical pendant rendered in sterling silver from the Barbara Vincent Collection. Polished to a mirror finish. Available with sterling silver snake chain in lengths from 16" to 24". Pendant is $44.00.

Nautical Gifts For Men & Women From Skipjack

2010-11-27T18:12:00.002-05:00

We've selected some of our favorite nautical picks featuring easy gift options for anyone on your shopping list!

Nautical Code Flag Acrylic Drinkware.

Guaranteed to help you navigate in style! Barware has just become more entertaining. Inspired by the Code Flags themselves, Skipjack brings you a unique line of Nautical Drinkware from Up2Code. Say Cheers, in a new & entertaining way. Our drinkware is sure to launch lively conversation at parties or anytime, and will amuse the saltiest of sea dogs and landlubbers alike. Each adorned with their nautical signal flag and double entente meaning. The limes in the gin & tonics won’t be the only twists! Perfect at home, on the patio, at the beach or on the boat. A great addition to any home decorated with a coastal or beach decor style. Dishwasher safe. Made in the USA & Canada. Special price: $19.95 set of four

Blue Crab Beach Bag, tote or Coastal Weekend Purse

Possibly the biggest, roomiest, most useful everything bag a gal can own -- made of tough acrylic fabric that wears and wears and holds oodles of stuff.

The artist has decorated this huge weekender from a very lively blue crab caught in the Chesapeake Bay. The vibrant shades of blue on tan with red pinchers makes a dramatic statement. Enlarged to unearthly scale, the image is guaranteed to either 1) elicit compliments, or 2) warn strangers of your cranky temperament and thereby preserve your personal space.

Just how big is it? Fifteen inches high, 16.5" wide, 5" deep, with 26" straps. Magazine-size double thick outside pocket, handy checkbook pocket on the inside, and fastened with a magnetic snap. If you love this particular lining fabric, order up quick as there's not much available. Also available as a 19" X 19" pillow for $49.00. Blue Crab Beach Bag, tote or Coastal Weekend Purse $65.00 Another great gift idea is our Chesapeake blue crab tote filled with Blue Crab Bay products and spice up their Christmas and holiday season!

Skipjacks- 12oz. Spicy Honey Toasted Peanuts

Skipjacks- Extra large Virginia peanuts (from the peanut capital of the world here in good old Virginia) blanketed in a crisp honey-toffee coating spiked with Blue Crab Bays Chesapeake Bay Seasoning. A deliciously addictive snack and a perfect holiday gift. 12 oz tin. All natural. Also, try our sea salt nuts and other varieties of Blue Crab Bay Co. products $7.50

Skipjack's wine stopper is a perfect gift for the nautical wine enthusiast made with a hand-tied Turk's head or monkey's fist knot. Perfect for use in the nautical/coastal home and on your private yacht. Clear urethane finished knot for easy maintenance. Made by one of our artists right here in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA. Great stocking stuffer too! $14.95

Silver sand dollar earrings by Patty Anderson

Pewter sand dollar belt buckle with over 14 belt colors to choose from. By Patty Anderson.

Sand Dollar Buckle. Pewter sand dollar buckle with your choice of belt color. Shown above with White Silver Tip Gator belt. Match it with the sand dollar earrings. Each belt features an exclusively designed buckle inspired by the beach and sea. Using CAD (Computer Aided Design), Patty Anderson buckle designs are converted into molds, and molten pewter is poured into the mold to yield the finished product. The result is an exact, high-quality duplicate of her original three-dimensional design.
Pair the buckle of your choice with a leather belt in any of 14 colors. The choices range from the classic subtlety of Chestnut Brown to the bold statement of Sunshine Gator. $120.00

Nautical mirror re-purposed and created from an authentic aluminum porthole.

An authentic large opening ship's aluminum porthole with 3 dogs that we have recycled from the shipping industry, expertly re-purposed into an impressive nautical mirror. These portholes are made from aluminum and to the highest marine specifications, salvaged from British and European ships built in the 1970's/ 80's. Aluminum portholes are much lighter than their brass and bronze predecessors which makes them usable as a wall hanging in any nautical/coastal interior. These portholes are paint-able and we have a number available in a bright red and blue paint finish. The diameter of the glass is 16 inches. The overall diameter is 22 inch The weight is approximately 32 pounds.

Skipjack's bay rum and lime soap.

Skipjack's bay rum and lime soap is spicy and manly!....but women love it as well. Great for salt of the earth types or for an old salt, it conjures memories of vintage sailing ships, the smell of teak and salt air and long naps in a hammock stretched between the main and the mizzen - with a twist of boat drinks, of course! You’re guaranteed to fall in love with this refreshing reminder of the sea. Our favorite! $5.95

Turk's head coasters hand-tied on Nantucket Island, Mass.

Go nautical with this set of four coasters hand-tied using the turk's head knot; made from a cotton/polyester twine; quadrupled three-lead; five-bight turk's heads that go right in the washing machine ... drip dry! $35.00

Our new palm tree Christmas ornament from the Barbara Vincent collection.

New from the Barbara Vincent Nautical Christmas Ornament Collection. The palm tree ornament is composed of three different metals—nickel, copper and brass with small green glass bead decorations on both sides of the ornament. There is no lead or any other harmful substances in the metals; all metal pieces are designed to be safe, with a minimum of sharp corners and edges. Only lead free solder is used. A great Christmas ornament for the nautical enthusiast. The ornament measures 4 3/4 inches tall and comes with an attached hook measures 7 inches overall. Also available from Barbara Vincent is the sailboat and crab ornament. Looks great on any Christmas tree! $19.95

The Yachtsman Brass Gimbal Lamp with Smoke Bell

The Yachtsman is a traditionally styled, high quality gimballed oil lamp- a subtle yet practical way to illuminate your vessel or nautical/coastal home. Constructed of solid brass, the Yachtsman includes a 4-way gimbal and smoke bell. Comes with a two year limited warranty. Burns any standard lamp fuel. $134.99

The Barbara Vincent sterling silver nautical sailboat jewelry collection.

A great nautical gift for the female sailor in your life is Barbara Vincent's sterling silver sailboat collection. Necklaces are available individually with five different sailboats to choose from or the total collection on a 20 inch sterling silver snake chain with bead dividers. Pendants can be purchased separately at $44.00 each and sterling silver chains are available in 5 different lengths starting at $24.00.

Signal Flags from Skipjack's nautical belt collection.

Our men's signal flags nautical belt is perfect to wear with your favorite khakis, jeans, or corduroys. This cotton web ribbon belt for all seasons has full grain drum-dyed leather billet and buckle ends accentuated by the solid brass buckle. Sizes range from 32 to 46 in stock. This belt is available with your choice of red or white webbing as a background to the signal flag ribbon. Other sizes available upon request. Preview our other selections of nautical designed belts in our nautical wears category. $24.95


Skipjack's nautical dog collars are a perfect gift for you four legged family members.

Dress up your salty dog or cat with Skipjack's nautical pet products featuring a great selection of colorful nautical themed ribbon designs on durable nylon webbing for comfort and easy care.

Collars feature Delrin Acetal side release buckles for ease of fastening and separating and solid nickel plated “D” rings for strength, are available in three widths and are all easily adjusted for length. Our matching leashes feature strong nickel-plated swivel snaps. All of Skipjack's nylon webbing products are easy to clean. Just wash with mild detergent (not bleach), rinse well and hang to dry. Perfect for your nautical dog or cat! Produced in Massachusetts, USA.

Skipjack gift certificate- perfect for everyone.

Looking for the perfect gift. Give them exactly what they want with a Skipjack gift certificate . A white embossed note card personalized with your message will be sent to the gift recipient. Starting at $25.00.

Support Your Local Businesses Throughout the Holidays

2010-11-27T05:58:00.000-05:00

The buzzword for 2010 might just be "local" -- buy local products, eat local foods, support local artists. But especially around the holidays, there's more to shopping locally than just saving on shipping costs or reducing your carbon footprint. There are less tangible benefits -- connecting with a friendly shopkeeper, reveling in the aroma from a wall of scented candles, places where you can find something for that person on your list who doesn't just want cold hard cash or an iTunes gift card.

November 27, 2010 is the first-ever Small Business Saturday. A day to come together in support of the small businesses we love. The shops and restaurants that employ our neighbors and reinvest our money close to home. The businesses that are the heartbeat of our communities and local economies.

Here at Skipjack as a participating merchant, we are offering a store-wide 20% Off Sale on Saturday, November 27th. This is a great opportunity to come out and find that unique gift for those that cherish anything nautical on your holiday shopping list. And, while in Olde Towne, please make it a memorable day-- shop in our great specialty stores along High Street, visit the opening weekend of Winter Wonderland: The Coleman Collection and enjoy a great lunch or dinner in one of our local chef-owned restaurants. Make it a small business day and we thank you in advance!

Start Your holiday Season With Some Old-fashioned Fun at the 15th Annual Arts & Antiques Open House in Olde Towne Portsmouth!

2010-11-19T05:50:00.000-05:00

Friday, November 19, 2010
5 p.m. til 10 p.m.

Kick the holiday season off in style and support your local small businesses. Skipjack will be serving refreshments and hosting three or our favorites...back by popular demand!

"From Rockland to Hampton Roads"

featuring original coastal watercolor paintings by Virginia artist Shirley Cook.


"Eddies" watercolor by Virginia artist Shirley Cook.

Schrimshander Anthony Perry will be demonstrating

his delicate art form during

First Friday at Skipjack

Schrimshawed antique whales tooth by Anthony Perry

"Unforeseen Circumstances": A Novel by Debbiann Holmes

MEET THE ARTIST
Book signing with Portsmouth Novelist Debbiann Holmes

during First Friday at Skipjack

Finalist in the USA book awards for 2010 best book of the year in romance fiction!

ALSO

Riverview Gallery will be featuring the Norman Goodwin Art Show and ceramic sculpture show by students of B. Kobylinska.

Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery & Riverview Gallery will be open together for this event. Come and meander through both galleries during Olde Towne's Arts and Antiques Open House!

Light refreshments served.

And elsewhere on High Street:

Visit Winter Wonderland: The Coleman Collection at Courthouse Galleries

Enjoy the 41st Annual Art Faculty Exhibition at the Visual Arts Center

History comes alive when you bump into our own Colonel Crawford

View antique cars and motorcycles parked along High Street

Start at the welcome table (free high chocolate!) at High Street Landing!

Located at One High Street on the riverfront in historic Seaboard Railroad Terminal, Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia. For additional information, call Skipjack at 757-399-5012 and Riverview Gallery at 757-397-3207.

"From Rockland to Hampton Roads" A New Collection of Nautical/Coastal Themed Watercolor Paintings by Virginia Artist Shirley Cook

2010-11-18T13:10:00.001-05:00


"Boats Docked in Maine" watercolor on paper by Shirley Cook.

"I realize now that I am painting again that, although when I was not actively painting, my eyes were open and I was absorbing layer upon layer of images. I savored the beauty of God’s universe, stared at it, meditated on it, drank it in, stored it in my memory, unaware that I would one day be painting it". These are words expressed by Virginia artist Shirley Cook about her recent collection titled "From Rockland to Hampton Roads" of over 20 new watercolor paintings now on exhibit in the foyer gallery at Skipjack nautical Wares. The collection is comprised largely of plein air paintings created during her last visit to Maine combined with regional views of Virginia's Chesapeake Bay coastline and the Virginia Beach oceanfront.

"Lobster Traps". Watercolor on paper by Shirley Cook.

Shirley earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Indiana University in 1971, and then she went off with my husband to minister the gospel to college students. She carried her sketchbook all the time until starting a family, at which time there was no longer room or time to pursue her artwork. So she took a 35 year sabbatical to be a wife, mother and missionary. I guess I “forgot I was an artist."

"Three boats, Rockland, Maine". Watercolor on paper by Shirley Cook.

"I am learning to paint from life or photographs and choose shapes and colors to make an intriguing composition. I like recognizable subject matter, but I don’t fuss. Ultimately I realize God has given me this ability and I hope to honor Him with all of it. My joy is in watching the painting develop to a stage at which I can say: I like looking at this."

"Owl's Head Light". Original plein air watercolor by Shirley Cook

Stop by and peruse through Shirley Cook's new collection of nautical/coastal themed watercolor paintings this month at Skipjack nautical Wares & Marine Gallery. You can also see a portion of the collection on-line on our web gallery. Please click here to visit her page.

Hog Island Lighthouse First Order Lens

2010-11-16T11:48:00.001-05:00

The Hog Island First order Fresnel lens on the Portsmouth, Virginia waterfront.

"Shine on", guiding light--
I see your lighted beacon, shining "bright".

Your light is strong, shining bold and bright--
It can be seen for many miles, your "guiding" light.

Whether arriving from the sea, or standing real near--
Your light shines bright,
dissolving all "sense" of fear.

"Shine on", guiding light--
I feel safe, with a sense of home,
when I see your "bright" beacon light.

From the poem "Shine On" by Snow W. Frost

The Hog Island Pavilion stands sentinel on the Portsmouth, Virginia seawall in front of the historic Seaboard building that houses Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery.

Standing sentinel encased in a glass exhibit pavilion located on the seawall along the Elizabeth River in downtown Portsmouth, Virginia, is the retired first-order Fresnel lens from the historic Hog Island Lighthouse on permanent display.

The lens, the second largest lighthouse lens in the U.S., stands 10 feet tall and weighs 2,500 pounds. 368 prisms make up the reflective body of the lens.

Hog Island lighthouse lens is the second largest in the U.S.

The structure that houses the lens was designed to simulate the lantern room of a lighthouse is 16 feet in diameter and is approximately 25 feet from the floor of the pavilion to the top of the spire and the lens can be viewed from 360 degrees through the pavilion windows. The platform surrounding the structure is raised 4 feet above the surrounding grade to give the lens more prominence. Stairs and a handicapped accessible ramp access the raised platform.The lens is mounted on a turntable that rotates slowly, much as it once turned at the top of the Hog Island Lighthouse. Spotlights mounted at the ceiling of the pavilion reflect off the lens’ prisms creating a magnificent scene at night as the lens sparkles and shines.

The lens is on loan to the City of Portsmouth from the United States Coast Guard, and HBA was hired by the City to design a pavilion to preserve and showcase the valuable, first-order Fresnel lens.

Original Hog Island lighthouse on Virginia's eastern shore.

HISTORY

The first Hog Island Lighthouse was built in 1852 and was a white conical brick tower. This lighthouse lasted until 1896 when it was replaced with a cast iron pyramidal skeletal tower with a central cylinder. This lighthouse was similar to the Cape Charles lighthouse today.

Both lighthouses were built on what was the southern end of Hog Island. Hog Island was the northern most part of the natural barrier islands of Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

By the 1920s the ocean had eroded much of the island. A hurricane in the 1930s claimed even more of the land. The lighthouse was demolished in 1948.

The 10-foot high lens, a first order produced by the Henry-LePaute company in France, was removed from the lighthouse before its final destruction. It is now on display on the Portsmouth Seawall adjacent to the High Street Landing. for more information and a printable brochure, click on this link.

Skipjack's Porthole Mirror- A Nautical Classic

2010-11-13T17:05:00.000-05:00

Large authentic aluminum porthole re-purposed into a mirror. Perfect for the nautical/coastal interior.

With a barrage of replica porthole mirrors available on the market today, there's certainly something out there at every size and price point for the nautical/ coastal home decorator. But if you're wanting something more than the typical knockoff, then take a look at Skipjack's classic nautical porthole mirror. Made with an authentic large opening ship's 2 or 3 dog portholes that we've recycled from the shipping industry, these are handsomely re-purposed into an impressive nautical mirror. These portholes are made from aluminum and salvaged from ships built in the 1970's/ 80's and made to the highest of marine specifications. Aluminum portholes are much lighter than their brass and bronze predecessors which makes them very usable as a wall hanging in any nautical/coastal interior.

Side view of our classic nautical porthole mirror.

An example of a porthole painted antique-white and mirroring an angel-fish sculpture.

These portholes are paintable and we have a number available in a bright red and blue paint finish. The diameter of the glass is 16 inches and the overall diameter is 22 inch. The weight of each porthole mirror is approximately 32 pounds.

Our large 22 inch diameter portholes shown in bright red, royal blue and brushed aluminum.

The mirrors are available as long as inventory lasts at a very competitive price of $195.00 which is in many cases less expensive than most of the larger size porthole mirror replicas. You can buy these on-line at our web-store at this link: Skipjack's classic nautical porthole mirror or stop by our Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia showroom and pick one out! While supplies last!

Your Hole in the Water

2010-11-06T11:41:00.004-04:00

The Schooner Virginia docked at Norfolk's Nauticus. Photo by Claire Trego Goodwin.

A recent article published by a Hampton Roads newspaper titled "Your hole in the water- Virginia taxpayers shouldn't be forced to support private causes, like a schooner" is a blatant attack on the now docked "Schooner Virginia." This same newspaper that has published numerous positive articles about the famed schooner, has now decided to change its position. So I feel inclined to republish the article and the current rebuttal written by Captain Stefan Edick, Master of the "Schooner Virginia." The newspaper I understand will publish Captain Edick's response, but in a condensed version. So here it is in its entirety. Please write us and leave your comments. We thank you for your support of the "Schooner Virginia." Let's get her under sail once again!

Editorial: Your hole in the water
Virginia taxpayers shouldn't be forced to support private causes, like a schooner
October 27, 2010

Tied up to a dock in Norfolk is a wooden-hulled, two-masted, schooner-rigged, 122-foot long reminder of the kind of dubious decisions that elected officials sometimes make when the public money is flowing.

And flow it did in Virginia. Between 1999 and 2009, the annual state budget doubled from $22 billion to $44 billion. When the flow was particularly strong, the General Assembly was generous in diverting some of it to private organizations.

At least $5 million (about half of it federal transportation dollars that came to the state) showered down on the Schooner Virginia.

Why, you might ask, when colleges are underfunded and bridge maintenance is being deferred — and they were, even in those good days — did legislators think that the best use of public money was for a replica of a boat harbor pilots used in 1906 to guide vessels into and out of Hampton Roads?

Why indeed?

The intent behind the schooner was to use it to teach sailing and seamanship, compete in races and generally preserve the memory of the state's long maritime heritage. It is a good idea, and the Virginia is an impressive sight under way.

But it's an idea that should be not just run but also funded by the private sector.

While young Virginians need to learn many things to prepare for life in the 21st century, how to trim sail on a schooner is not one of them. And while the stated purpose of promoting Virginia tourism and economic development sounds nice, how exactly does that work? Are corporate relocation decision-makers actually swayed by a floating "goodwill ambassador," as the project's backers like to call the Virginia?

Often the first stop on the fund-raising campaign for a private project is the General Assembly building. Many of its members enjoy winning friends by snagging some money — not theirs, of course, but taxpayers' — for a favorite cause back home.

So Virginians who did not choose to contribute to the Schooner Virginia project were compelled to contribute. Just as they were compelled to contribute to several churches, lots of arts groups, more than one railroad museum and many local social service programs serving specific communities.

Sometimes these legislative favors make sense, when the project delivers a meaningful service for Virginia and Virginians and there's a reasonable connection to the public realm. But that's a hard case to make for the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance.

To the Editor:
By Captain Stefan Edick
Master, Schooner Virginia

A ship that is dead in the water makes for an easy target, and so it is no surprise that the Editorial Board of the Daily Press has seized upon the recent news coverage of the schooner Virginia to weigh in on the subject of the public funding used in her construction and initial phase of operations. Hindsight is acute, as we all know, and in the current economic and political climate the temptation to criticize public expenditure for all but the most basic necessities is all but irresistible. To use the current context to evaluate past decisions, however, is to employ a faulty critical faculty.

In times of prosperity great governments have, throughout history, chosen to make expenditures from the public coffers for the public good. Such was the case with the schooner Virginia, which received but a tiny fraction of the nearly $200 million per year Non-State Agency funding allocated by the Commonwealth. The funds were disbursed to a wide variety of civic interests statewide, and while one can look at the list of projects and debate their individual merits, it is shortsighted and capricious to take the stance that each was the result of “legislative favors” rather than as investment in civic advancement.

When conceived and initiated, the schooner Virginia was heralded as an effort to build a monument to the region’s history and potential, and to employ her as a traveling representative of both Commonwealth and common good. Educational programming was to be a key part of her operations, and Virginia’s elected representatives at every level supported the project wholeheartedly, as did the Fourth Estate, including the Daily Press.
Thousands toured the Harbor Park shipyard while she was being built, including schoolchildren from across the region, many introduced for the first time to the fact that such a magnificent vessel could be crafted by hand in traditional fashion.

When launched, the ship was celebrated across the region. She was perceived as a graceful and powerful testament to the capabilities of Southeastern Virginia, and while she could easily have been named “Pride of” or “Spirit of”, as other comparable vessels have, her simple naming spoke only to an eloquent representation of all the citizens of the Commonwealth.

the "Schooner Virginia racing the "Pride of Baltimore II." Photo by Fred LeBlanc

The ship was launched with a two-part mission, that of ambassador vessel and educational platform, and the editorial is critical of each facet without being particularly well-informed. As ambassador of the Commonwealth and Hampton Roads, the ship has been viewed and visited by hundreds of thousands at Tall Ships and port festivals throughout the Atlantic Basin, and has appeared regularly in national, international, and regional publications, including numerous front page or cover stories. She is the subject of tens of thousands of images on the Internet and in galleries up and down the Atlantic coast. Throughout, she is seen as a proud example of the ‘brand’ of the Commonwealth of Virginia. A common metric used to gauge the economic impact of advertising places the value of her appearances at approximately $1.5 million dollars per year. In port at home and abroad, she has hosted civic and corporate receptions, and in Hampton Roads she has been employed by a host of organizations like the Elizabeth River Project to help support their own causes. Did she influence any “corporate relocation decision-makers”?
The answer to that question is elusive, but the question misses the mark.

Students, once placed in the demanding environment of a traditional sailing vessel, learn much more than how to trim sail, as the editorial suggests. Rather, they are charged with real work and real responsibilities as shipmates engaged in a common purpose, and one need only speak to the participants or their parents to learn just how powerful a positive impact the experience can have on their self-esteem and in introducing a new found awareness of their capabilities.

As an educational platform, the ship has provided a challenging, success- driven learning environment for hundreds of adolescent students from all demographic groups, drawn from the communities of the region and beyond. Here again, the editorial displays a stunning lack of insight: “sail training” is a generic term applied to the practice of experiential learning aboard traditional ships, and while learning the mechanics of sail are part of the practice, the ship is the medium, and not the full extent of the message. Students, once placed in the demanding environment of a traditional sailing vessel, learn much more than how to trim sail, as the editorial suggests. Rather, they are charged with real work and real responsibilities as shipmates engaged in a common purpose, and one need only speak to the participants or their parents to learn just how powerful a positive impact the experience can have on their self-esteem and in introducing a new found awareness of their capabilities.

In addition to the challenges of the ship and seamanship, students were instructed in the maritime history of the region and the coast, the ecology of the Chesapeake and beyond, and in the beauty and wonder of the literature of the sea. Adult students in dedicated programs were given instruction in celestial navigation and passage making, tutelage under professional and accomplished instructors and crew members valuable to the safety and success of their own individual pursuits on the water.

There’s even been a notable occasion on which the two missions have been combined. In the Halifax Tall Ships Festival of last year, the ship trained its complement of adolescent trainees to act as ambassadors of the Commonwealth, and utilized them as docents for the thousands of visitors that toured the ship. Each was able to demonstrate pride of accomplishment and pride of place in an exercise unusual if not unique among sail training ships. Have any of the thousands of Canadian visitors to Virginia Beach this year been influenced by their contact with these proud boys and girls? Again, the answer is elusive, but the question misses the mark.

The schooner Virginia has been a prominent participant in the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, organized annually to support the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s efforts to protect and support the waterway. Here she’s developed a fiercely competitive yet gracious and thoroughly sportsmanlike rivalry with Pride of Baltimore II, and one could suggest that the rivalry’s example by itself would be valuable to both citizens and politicians in these contentious times.

So why, then, is the ship tied up alongside the dock at Nauticus? Here the editorial offers some constructive criticism, though again the thrust of the argument is faulty. While the Virginia Maritime Heritage Foundation can be criticized for some of its managerial and administrative decisions, the writer fails to consider that the organization was and has been engaged in the process of weaning itself from the public funding that got the project underway, as the last of the state funding allocated to the ship ended in fiscal year 2008. During the transition, however, the failing economy had a dramatic impact on the group’s traditional donor base, and private efforts fell well short of the revenue required to keep the ship going into 2010.

In the ten months since the ship has been idle, concerted efforts have been made by the Foundation’s Board of Directors to achieve a solution to the administrative shortcomings that have caused the hiatus, and much progress has been made. Numerous determined Board members and former staff have been serving as volunteers to watch over this proud asset in fair weather and foul, and to pursue the recruitment of the constituency the editorial identifies in support of future operations. To these ends we have been both assisted and inspired by a corps of dedicated volunteers, who have shown unflagging support of the vision with which the ship was originally launched.

Since the beginning date of the project, one can count some fifty-six stories in the Daily Press which feature the schooner Virginia either wholly or in part. Many of these stories and accompanying photographs appeared on the front page, whether of a dramatic and dramatically nautical marriage proposal during the Jamestown 400th celebration, or word of schooner Virginia’s record-breaking run down the Bay in the 2007 Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. In these fifty six articles, there’s nary a word of criticism about the validity of the project or of the use of public funding in support of what is portrayed throughout as a vital asset valuable to all of your readership.

With more limited government resources available now and in the future, the schooner Virginia clearly will need to build upon its natural constituency to support its operations, and with determined effort will no doubt do so, perhaps as early as next year. Operating a sailing ship is no easy task in the best of times, and these clearly are not the best of times. It’s a shame the Daily Press has chosen to change tacks and jump on the bandwagon of criticism of this fine vessel after your paper has provided so much support for its construction and achievements.

Sincerely,

Captain Stefan Edick
Master, Schooner Virginia

COMMENTS:

It is disheartening that in troubled times some institutions target historic icons. The service to the youth & the maritime community that the Schooner Virginia provides truly cannot be measured monetarily, and any attempt to hamper her mission will only be a blemish on the Commonwealth.
Jim Goodwin

Excellent letter to the editor, Stef. Christina.

Wow, Well done! Linda G.

There are other cities in our region besides Norfolk. Can the VA become more regional. ? See what Portsmouth Hampton, and Chesapeake can do? Grants are on line in Portsmouth - under museums and fine arts on the city web page. There isn't much money, but together we may make a difference.
Susan C.

First Friday Events at Skipjack & Riverview Gallery

2010-11-04T07:37:00.010-04:00

Come and visit us this Friday evening at

Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery

and Riverview Gallery

as part of Olde Towne Portsmouth's

First Friday Events!

Friday, November 5, 2010

5 p.m to 8 p.m.

"From Rockland to Hampton Roads"

November 5th to December 1st, 2010

featuring original coastal watercolor paintings by Virginia artist Shirley Cook.


"Eddies" watercolor by Virginia artist Shirley Cook.

Schrimshander Anthony Perry will be demonstrating

his delicate art form during

First Friday at Skipjack

Schrimshawed antique whales tooth by Anthony Perry

"Unforeseen Circumstances": A Novel by Debbiann Holmes

MEET THE ARTIST
Book signing with Portsmouth Novelist Debbiann Holmes

during First Friday at Skipjack

Finalist in the USA book awards for 2010 best book of the year in romance fiction!

ALSO

Riverview Gallery will be featuring the Norman Goodwin Art Show and ceramic sculpture show by students of B. Kobylinska and Kevin Turner on the guitar.

Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery & Riverview Gallery will be open together for First Friday. Come and meander through both galleries during First Friday!

Light refreshments served.

First Friday is a stage for local merchants & restaurants in Portsmouth's Historic Olde Towne and one of the city's most popular evening escapes. Held the first Friday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's thriving arts & antiques community opens it's doors along the 12 historic squares of High Street located between Effingham Street and the riverfront where crowds of casual browsers as well as serious buyers come to each festive event to visit our fine art galleries, quality antique shops and unique specialty stores, some host receptions and art exhibition openings.

First Friday is held each month, rain or shine, year round. There is no admission fee for First Friday - participating galleries are open to the public.

Nautical Belts for Men & Women at Skipjack

2010-10-31T13:05:00.003-04:00

Looking for the right nautical belt? Well here's a selection of some of our new and all time favorite seriously sea-worthy nautical inspired belts that will certainly satisfy even the saltiest of tastes!

Skipjack's sailor macrame nautical belts are available in a variety of colors

The Skipjack collection of nautical belts is perfect look to wear with your favorite jeans, khakis, or corduroys. This timeless classic cotton web ribbon belt for all seasons has full grain drum-dyed leather billet and buckle ends accentuated by the solid brass buckle. Also available with solid brass or nickel-plated solid brass “D” Rings. Check out our full line of Skipjack's nautical wears and boating apparel at: Skipjack Nautical Wears

Skipjack's sailor macrame braided web nautical belt in natural line (pictured above and below) is available in five different colors, each created with full grain leather belt ends and solid brass buckles. A great nautical look for men, women and children too. Skipjack's sailor macrame nautical belt

Skipjack's nautical sailor macrame belt is available in five colors.

The classic nautical signal flag belt is available with your choice of red or white webbing as a background to the signal flag ribbon. Skipjack's nautical signal flag belt

Nautical signal flag belt in red or white webbing at Skipjack.

Feeling a bit piratical? Then choose our skull and crossbones belt. Available in red or white webbing with red bandanna or on hot pink with pink bandanna for our female buccaneers!

Skipjack's skull and crossbones nautical belt

Skull & Crossbones belt.

Skipjack's crossed oars nautical belt comes in navy blue with gold thread oars and trim cotton web ribbon belt is perfect for all seasons. Skipjack's crossed oars nautical belt

Crossed oars nautical belt

Go fishin' in style with our striper nautical sports belt. Comes in navy blue on a moss green webbing. Skipjack's striper nautical sports belt Wanna go striper fishing? Visit stripers247.com

Skipjack's striper nautical sports belt.

The classic schooner under full sail on ocean blue waters is one of our most popular nautical themed ribbon belts. Skipjack's schooner nautical belt

We're all about schooners here at Skipjack representing both the "Schooner Virginia" and the schooner "Spirit of Independence." Check out our blog "Schooner Racing on the bay" at http://racingthebay.blogspot.com/ and see the world's largest gathering of schooners each October right here in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia. Go to: http://schoonerdays.blogspot.com/

The Skipjack Schooner nautical belt for men and women.

We stock sizes 32 to 46 at our riverfront store here in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia. Smaller sizes starting at 20 and sizes larger than 46 are available too. Expect up to two weeks upon order for receipt.

Tall Ship "Statsraad Lehmkuhl" to Visit Norfolk, Virginia

2010-10-21T07:49:00.000-04:00

Location: Otter Berth, Downtown Norfolk, Virginia
Date: November 4-5, 2010
Time: Ship Arrival
Thursday, November, 4, 2010 at 9 am

Ship Tours
Schools Tours (schools only)
Friday, November 5, 10:00 am - Noon

Public Tours
Friday, November 5: Noon - 4pm

On Thursday November 4, 2010 the unique and majestic 96-year old Norwegian tall sailing ship "HNoMS Statsraad Lehmkuhl" is scheduled to arrive in Downtown Norfolk at 9 am, docking at Otter Berth next to Waterside. The ship will depart on Friday, November 5, 2010.

On Thursday November 4, 2010 the unique and majestic 96-year old Norwegian tall sailing ship "HNoMS Statsraad Lehmkuhl" is scheduled to arrive in Downtown Norfolk.

Arrival will be immediately followed at 9:30 am with a dockside public welcome ceremony. The public is invited to tour the ship on Friday, November 5, from noon - 4pm; school groups can reserve a private tour from 10 am - noon.

The Statsraad Lehmkuhl is sailed by the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy's first year officer cadets, who are participating in leadership training and team building during the trip. The cadets also get a strong foundation of basic seamanship during their weeks onboard. Stripped of modern communication technology, the students are forced to work together to overcome the timeless challenges and dangers of travelling the seas by sail. Statsraad Lehmkuhl has been part of the basic training program since 2002, whereby the Royal Norwegian Navy leases the ship for several months every year. Norfolk has become a favorite port of call for the ship and her crew; this will be the 6th consecutive year that the ship has called on Norfolk as part of their sail-training schedule. The port visit is sponsored by Norfolk Festevents, Ltd.

The Statsraad Lehmkuhl is sailed by the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy's first year officer cadets, who are participating in leadership training and team building during the trip

The City of Norfolk and her community leaders will officially welcome the HNoMS Statsraad Lehmkuhl on Thursday, November 4 with a flag-raising and dockside ceremony scheduled to take place at Otter Berth in Downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Lake Taylor High School's NJROTC Color Guard will carry out the flag-raising ceremony beginning at 9:30 am.

School Tour Schedule: Friday, November 5, 2010, 10 am - noon. Please contact Hank Moseley with Festevents, at 757-441-2345 ext.3019 or moseleyh@festevents.org for more information and to arrange for school tours. Schools must provide their own transportation to and from Otter Berth. Ship tours are FREE.

Public Visitation Schedule: Friday, November 5, 2010, Noon - 4 pm. Ship tours are FREE and open to the public from Noon - 4 pm only.

Facts & History: HNoMS Statsraad Lehmkuhl

•The Barque ‘Statsraad Lehmkuhl' is from Bergen. It is a three masted Barque, launched in 1914. She was built by JC Tecklenborg, Bremerhaven, Germany and is Norway's oldest and largest sailing vessel.
•Overall Length: 98 metres (321.522309711')
•Length of Hull: 259'
•Rig: Three-masted barque
•Height of Rig: 158'
•Beam: 12.6 metres (41.338582677')
•Draught: 5.2 metres (17.060367454'
•High Carbon Steel Hull
•Carries a crew of 125 (100 training)

New Products and Special Events at Skipjack Nautical Wares as Part of Schooner Days Celebration in Olde Towner Portsmouth, Viorginia

2010-10-14T05:32:00.001-04:00

Special events at Skipjack this weekend during Schooner Days! Click on the link below.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/New-products-and-special-events-at-Skipjack-Nautical-Wares-.html?soid=1101310627487&aid=XIE4oZgpKa4

Unforseen Circumstances: A New Novel by Debbi Holmes

2010-10-12T05:09:00.001-04:00

Book Signing

Debbi Holmes will be at Skipjack Nautical Wares

Friday, October 15 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, October 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Debbi Holmes recently accomplished a dream she had since high school; she wrote and published a book called Unforeseen Circumstances. The book has turned non-readers into readers and has left avid readers’ wanting more.

Debbi Holmes will be signing her book Unforseen Circumstances at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery

Inspiration for the Book
Inspiration can come in many forms and can be different for many people. For Debbi, the inspiration came last year when she was struggling to find a good book to read with a mixture of romance, suspense and action. Her husband joking said, “Why don’t you write your own?” Debbi stated, “I don’t think he thought I would follow through on that comment!” Debbi eagerly got to work writing her book.

The storyline needed to have all the components she was looking for: romance, suspense and action. The idea came from stories she heard from “transients” that visit the dock, where she lives on her boat, about pirates in the Caribbean. She also had her nephew as a resource, who is in the Coast Guard, to provide stories about pirates coasting the Caribbean waters. She states, “I live on a boat so some of the experiences the characters have are interwoven from both my own experiences and fantasy.”

She had a co-worker read the book to get her opinion and see if was worth taking the time and expense to publish it. After her friend raved about the storyline and characters and encouraged her to follow through, Debbi began researching what it took to publish a book.

Patience is a Virtue

The good ole statement, “Rome was not built in a day”, is rule of thumb to keep in mind when writing and publishing a book. It takes both time and dedication to go through the process. Since she is a full time manager, the book was written at night and most weekends. “My husband found me disappearing from enjoying friends out on the dock, to being holed up in the bedroom, writing”, she states. Writing the story, for her, was the easiest part. She was able to finish the story in 3 months. Then it was time to design the cover, edit, and publish the book.

The cover was Debbi’s idea. She wanted to design a cover that would catch an individuals’ eye who is scanning the shelf for an interesting book to read. She utilized a photographer based on a referral and her daughter as the model. After 6 hours and over 80 different photo shots, she finally found the one that she imagined.

The road for editing was a little bumpy. She paid a student, who was working on their Masters in editing, to do the original editing. She didn’t think to go behind them to re-read the whole book. It went to the publishers and the first edition went out for people to buy. Luckily, only friends and family purchased the first edition and informed Debbi of misspellings, punctuation errors, and missing words. She immediately pulled it back out of print and had it re-edited by three different friends as well as going over the book herself an additional 2 times. “I have learned patience through this process and that has been the hardest thing for me”, she states. The second edition was completed and the book went back to printers. It is now available for purchase.

Upcoming Projects

Debbi is not finished pursuing her dream. She is currently marketing her first book and has a few book signings lined up. She is half way through the sequel to the first book, which many are anxiously awaiting. She also has 2 other ideas for books that are going to be a completely different story line from the first two. She wants to maintain the theme of boats and water in all of her books, making it her signature style.

Comments from Fans

I had the privilege of reading Debbi’s book, which I must say was simply amazing. I was so engrossed in the story line that I could barely put the book down. She did provide a little snip-it of the sequel in the back of the book and I choose not to read it because I wanted to be completely surprised. I, like many others, are eagerly waiting for the sequel to be finished.

“When I heard that Debbi had written a book, I went online that evening and purchased it. Just a few days later, I brought it to work and had Debbi sign it. I was very excited for her and showed the book to everyone I saw that day. I have to say, I really enjoyed reading Unforeseen Circumstances. The early references to local landmarks sparked my interest in the beginning. As I read on, I noticed that Debbi's descriptive story telling really made you feel as if you were right there with the characters. This book had a little bit of everything, Romance, Suspense and Action. There were times; I just couldn't put the book down. I am looking forward to the sequel.” By: Sharon Hughes

“The story is so intriguing; I immediately got immersed in the characters lives.
Debbi has such great way of making the reader feel that they are a part of the story. She's also a very descriptive writer. When she talks about the beaches and some of the downtown Portsmouth landmarks, I can completely envision myself there! By: Michelle Garrett

For more information on the book and Debbi please visit www.debbiannholmes.com.
You can also purchase Unforseen Circumstances at Skipjack's web store: Click here!

Written by Shannon Dickson.

The Sextant Cruise: A Course and Sail in Celestial Navigation

2010-09-28T21:39:00.000-04:00

Learn how to navigate with a sextant using today's advanced technology with Captain J. C. Waters aboard the Schooner

SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE.

October 26, 2010

Schooner SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE sailing on the Elizabeth River.

The very technology that seemed to question the viability of the practical use of the Sextant is now the tool that makes the Sextant once again an important navigation tool for the small boat cruiser as well as the professional navigator. Traditional companion tools for the Sextant were the chronometer, almanac, sight reduction tables, worksheets, and plotting board. All of these tools were required and were tedious and time consuming to work with and maintain. Now enter the i-phone app “Star Pilot”, hand held computer with dedicated sight reduction program and the inexpensive digital watch. Now the procedure to get a fix becomes: Take the shot with the sextant, observe the time with the digital watch, enter the observed information in the i-phone app or the computer program and mark the fix on the chart. Granted the i-phone is also a GPS tool but the i-phone app will still work even if the constellation of GPS satellites fell out of the sky.

Tamaya Spica Sextant

For the Sextant Cruise, we will have aboard, Sextants, handheld computers and will demonstrate the iphone app. If you have an iphone or ipod that you wish to use, please load the app. STAR PILOT. There may be other apps. available but this is the one we will be demonstrating.

The cruise will sail to the Chesapeake Bay in search of a good sea horizon. We'll take a series of sun shots to reduce, using programs that will give you feedback on your sextant skills and show you how easy it is to use a sextant.

Captain J. C. Waters instructing a course in celestial Navigation.

What you need to bring: Required: Watch. Optional: smart phone w/program, Sextant, etc.

Cruise participants is limited to 16 people. Cost per participant is $65.00 and includes lunch aboard the schooner. Board the schooner SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE at Tidewater Marina, Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia at the end of dock D. The SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE will set sail at 9:00 am and returning early evening. No instruments required.

For additional information and to make reservations, call Captain J C Waters at 757 971-1865 or Email j.c.waters@earthlink.net.

Follow the link here for information about the Schooner SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE AT http://www.spiritofindependence.net/

The 2010 Schooner Days in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia

2010-09-23T13:56:00.000-04:00

Schooner Days 2010, Portsmouth, Virginia

October 15-16, 2010

Schooner Days is a celebration of the world’s largest gathering of schooners along the waterfront of Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia. It's held this year in conjunction with the 21st Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race from Baltimore to Portsmouth- racing to save the bay!

Schooners LADY MARYLAND and LIBERTY CLIPPER at Portsmouth, Virginia's Schooner Days.

This two-day celebration offers numerous maritime-related activities along the seawall and at the High Street Landing; many are free to the general public.

Schooners line the seawall at Portsmouth, Virginia's High Street Landing

The Portsmouth waterfront from North Landing to beyond the High Street Landing will showcase over 40 schooners from local and distant ports and is considered the largest gathering of schooners in the world.


A gathering of great vintage wooden schooners are clustered together in Olde Towne Portsmouth for Schooner Days.

Schooner Days was created to commemorate Portsmouth, Virginia's rich maritime history with a variety of scheduled historical recreation events including demonstrations by shipwright artisans, maritime related musicians, costumed actors and even a hands-on building of a skiff! Other exhibits will be on hand to bring awareness for the need to preserve and improve the natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay. For more information, visit the Schooner Days site at http://schoonerdays.blogspot.com/

Nautical Impressionism- North Carolina Artist Sandy Nelson Brings marine Paintings to Life at Skipjack

2010-08-23T03:10:00.000-04:00

"Summerwind" by Sandy Nelson, oil on canvas measuring 24 X 36 inches. "In mid-summer, the winds beckon sailors to sail the marshes and intracoastal waters. A lazy afternoon is all that's needed to beckon participants out onto the water of the intracoastals.

My influences are as diverse as the great Spanish, Russian and French impressionists to a childhood amid the dark hills of eastern Kentucky. In the latter I found a sincere appreciation for the beauty of the world around me, in the former, inspiration to express it. My work is not edgy nor avant-garde; it doesn’t follow fads or trends – it is simply truth, as I perceive it. That is what I hope the viewer takes away with them.

"Evening Sail" by Sandy nelson, oil on canvas measuring 24 X30 inches " A long day sailing invites the sailors to come home late, taking to port just at dusk. A good meal, a glass of wine are all that's needed at the end of the day of working the sails. Tomorrow is another day of taking the wind."

The subjects of my painting may be a cloud, a boat, a figure or bowl of fruit – one is as monumental as another. The paintings are memories of a moment in time, a representation of my emotions and ideas, which is transferred to the viewer. In my studio I live with these words, which remind me that it is truly a gift to be an artist.

"Coming Home" by Sandy Snyder, oil on canvas measuring 24 X 30 inches. " The working boats along the coast are a different layer to the sailing tradition. There is a time of day, where the evening sky meets the water, and there is almost no separation. In this painting, a small glimpse of a distant shore is the only thing between the sky and the water, Against this color and reflected color, the lone fishing boat comes home."

"I believe in Michelangelo, Velasquez and Rembrandt; in the might of design, the mystery of color, the redemption of all things by Beauty everlasting and the message of art that has made these hands blessed: Amen. Amen." George Bernard Shaw

These works were created in the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina, Sandy's home away from home and in the coastal area of Wilmington and the Cape Fear which stretches along the coast to South Carolina.

Sandy Nelson has been a professional artist for many years. She studied Fine Art and painting at the University of KY and the Scottsdale Art School. Her portraits and landscapes have been accepted to national juried competitions from Maine to California, many winning national awards. Her work is included in over 60 corporate and museum collections including those of Sam Walton, founder of Walmart and George Steinbrenner, owner of the NY Yankees. She was named one of the top 200 artists by the Artists Magazine and has been profiled in “The Rotarian” an international publication. One of Nelson's portraits was the cover of “Bench & Bar” magazine in 2007 and one of her marsh landscapes graced the cover of “Carolina Art” magazine in 2008.
She maintains her studio in Leland, NC but travels extensively to paint. She is a member of ASOPA, the New Mexico Pastel Society, Pastel Society of the Southwest, Midwest Pastel Society and Women Artists of the West.
Click here to visit Sandy Nelson's artist page at Skipjack's web gallery or stop by and view her exceptional marine paintings in our Olde Towne Portsmouth gallery.

American Folk Art- A Coastal Homeowner's Nautical Inspired Collection

2010-08-04T07:46:00.005-04:00

Nautical inspired folk art with a country flair.

Throughout the years, we have had the great fortune at Skipjack Nautical Wares and Marine Gallery to meet some really fine people who have become customers and also good friends. Some share our passion in collecting and are "ready at the helm" when great new objects are found. These collectors share the same compassion for great nautical-themed folk art as I do and we are equally as pleased to see these exceptional items find a place in such a wanting home. Our friends are kind enough to now share some of their favorite discoveries with you. Enjoy!

(Top Picture) A carved and painted contemporary "sailors Valentine" was created by Jac & Patricia Johnson, two of my favorite folk artists working today. Their work is simply wonderful. The double heart-shaped valentine with carved lace edge features a hollowed out center with angels and painted verse with country and marine designs. As the poem reads "I hold you in my heart for god hath placed you there; I hold you there my darling for I know you truly care. You have been so very faithful through each passing year. I love you more than ever, In my heart I hold you dear." You can only imagine such verse written and given to a loved one from a saddened sailor before heading out to sea for an undetermined length of time...maybe forever!
Placed below the sailors valentine is a vintage ships in a bottle featuring a pair of racing schooners. This fine work of art even had sailors up in the masts! To the right is one of my all time favorite items, a lamp made with an antique birdhouse modeled after a famous New England lighthouse and mounted onto a thick piece of old driftwood pine. These pieces are displayed upon the owners 19th century paint-decorated blanket chest.

This whaling diorama that is displayed above a blue plaid sofa in the family room was also created by Jac and Patricia Johnson. It features a carved "harpooned" white whale and whalers skiff applied to a painted board with sailing ship in background and a sailors account to the event written across the total art piece.

The simple rounded and stylized contours of this primitive whale perched upon the top of an oak armoire convey an impertinent energy. This handcrafted weathervane was created by New Jersey folk artist Steve Hazlett from a single 100+year old heart pine board salvaged from a barn located in Bath, NY. Antique copper flashing was applied to the tail and outer edge of whale. Blue and gray buttermilk paint was applied in numerous layers to give the piece a dry and crusty as-found appearance.

An antique New England schooner weathervane stands sentinel by the living room fireplace. The weathervane was created with a painted wooden hull and tin sails. She is still attached to it's original metal roof mounting base.

Visit these other Skipjack's Nautical Living articles featuring American folk art:

http://skipjacksnauticalliving.blogspot.com/2010/04/nautical-folk-art-dealers-passion.html

http://skipjacksnauticalliving.blogspot.com/2010/02/sailors-valentines-gift-of-love.html

http://skipjacksnauticalliving.blogspot.com/2010/02/from-sidewalks-to-rooftops-outdoor-folk.html

Marine Artist Bob Holland Captures the Essence of our Maritime History

2010-07-28T07:02:00.018-04:00

The Bounty, Greenport, New York. Limited edition Giclee reproduction From original watercolor . Image size 20"x 27"

I met Bob Holland for the first time in 2009 at his studio in d’ART CENTER in Norfolk, Virginia. We were about to open an exhibit titled "Celebrating our Maritime Heritage" as part of the 20th Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race and our first annual "Schooner Days" events held in conjunction with the Schooner Race here in Olde Towne Portsmouth. As a Hampton Roads native, I've grown accustom to seeing the art work of this well known artist and I really wanted to have Bob Holland's marine artwork in our gallery and as part of this exhibit.

"The Eagle" USCG United States Coast Guard New London, Connecticut. Limited edition Giclee reproduction from original watercolor. Image size 20"x27"

Bobby Burnell, another exceptional marine artist that we represent had just delivered to us a few new paintings to be shown in the upcoming exhibit. Fortunately Bobby Burnell and Bob Holland were old acquaintances and he suggested that I give him a call, so I did and the rest is as they say- history! Of course the icing on the top is that Skipjack is the only gallery that represents both of these tremendous Hampton Roads artists under one roof. I'm not trying to brag about it- I just believe that such a momentous pairing of artists is certainly worth mentioning and I'm just delighted out of my socks to be able to display such legendary marine artist's works here in our waterfront Olde Towne gallery.

"The Battle of the Ironclads" by Bob Holland. Oil on canvas. The Ironclad battle in Hampton Roads, Virginia, March 9, 1862 as described on the brass name plate located at the bottom center of the frame. Measures 30 X 54 inches framed.

"The Pride of Baltimore I & II - A Tribute." Limited edition Giclee reproduction from original watercolor. Image size 20"x 27"

Bob Holland is as passionate about the story behind his paintings as he is in the creation of it. "Pride of Baltimore I & II- A Tribute" as Bob shared with me in a recent conversation, was painted from the perspective of standing on the deck of Baltimore I with the Pride of Baltimore II sailing in tranquil seas in sight from the stern of the ship. The Pride of Baltimore was an authentic reproduction of a 19th century Baltimore clipper topsail schooner commissioned by citizens of Baltimore, Maryland. It was lost at sea with four of its twelve crew on May 14, 1986. The Pride of Baltimore II, a replica vessel of more modern design commissioned to replace the Pride in 1988, now sails as a Goodwill Ambassador from Baltimore and the State of Maryland.

"The Eagle and the Rose- A Salute in Hampton Roads" Giclee reproduction from watercolor original. Image size 20" x 27"

"The Eagle and the Rose- A Salute to Hampton Roads" was painted in the late 90's as these two tall ships arrived for Norfolk's annual Harborfest.

"I was out in my Grady-White watching the early arrival of some of the vessels when the tall ship Rose, a replica of an 18th century Royal Navy frigate that cruised the American coast during the Revolutionary War passed the anchored U.S.C.G. cutter barque Eagle and fired a traditional cannon salute as she sailed by," said Holland.

You can clearly see where Bob goes to find inspiration for a painting. These are incontestable moments that artists seek to find- the passage, the way, the emotional connection found in a subject that stimulates the artist to pick up a brush and create their next work of art. I personally love to hear the artists stories, the poetry of ideas that inspires one to create. Bob Holland is a master of stories as you can clearly see in his paintings.

Bob Holland is an established American Artist with home and studios in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. His involvement with the arts for many years and his career includes many accomplishments, awards and exhibits in design and fine arts. His paintings are in private and corporate collections around the world.
An Art Center School of Design graduate with a career of Industrial Design, Graphic design, Illustration and Fine Art provides him with an extensive knowledge and awareness of composition and the essential elements that comprise a successful presentation.

Please come and visit us at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery and preview Bob Holland's marine art. You will be inspired too! You can also preview his work by visiting his artist page on our website. Click here to open the link.
Thank you for allowing us to share this with you. Please add your comments below (we love favorable comments) or write Bob Holland yourself at bobholland.artist@gmail.com.

Click here to go to the latest blog on Skipjack's Nautical Living.

Dress Up Your Pets in a Nautical Fashion With Skipjack's Collars and Leashes!

2010-07-14T22:04:00.003-04:00

Our dog Chance models his favorite signal flag collar

Now you can have the best dressed pets on the water. Skipjack Nautical Wares now brings to you our NEW collection of nautical/coastal style pet collars and leashes perfect for the beach and boating enthusiasts. The perfect choice for your salty cat or dog!

Durable nylon webbing with your selection of ribbon design

All our pet products are made with durable nylon webbing. Collars feature Delrin Acetal side release buckles for ease of fastening and separating and solid nickel plated “D” rings for strength and resistance to salt water.


Select from our colorful selection of nautical designed ribbons

Select from these nylon webbing colors for your pet collar and leash.

The collars are easily adjusted for length and are available in various widths and lengths ranging from cat sizes to Extra-large ( adjusts from 18" to 28"). Produced in Massachusetts, USA.

Select a matching leash to dress up your nautical pet!

You can order your nautical designed pet collar and leash on our web store by clicking here. Visit Skipjack's Nautical Living blog home page by clicking here.