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

"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

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

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!

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.

J. Robert Burnell: Reflections of the Famed Portsmouth Artist

"The Captain's House" by J. Robert Burnell

Portsmouth artist J. Robert Burnell (Bobby) 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. 
Bobby Burnell is recognized for his vivid depictions of life on the Chesapeake Bay.  The subject is his favorite - each piece open and honest, providing a unique understanding of its mood and people. 'The Captain's House' by Burnell is shown above.
One of the largest collections of Burnell's marine art is on exhibit at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery  and his works are on display in their showroom year-round.

"Scott's Creek- Circa 1915 by J. Robert Burnell

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 workboats to which he constantly refers to for accuracy of detail.  Among his favorite subjects are workboats 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.
Bobby 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.

"Taking a Lick" by J. Robert Burnell

From 1972 to 2002,  Bobby 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, marine artist 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.

"Skipjack" by J. Robert Vurnell

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.

"Opening Day" by J. Robert Burnell

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 Bobby is not painting boats, he continues to maintain and sail one of his own.  You just might see him out on the water.
Click here to go to Skipjack's Nautical Living home page.

Patty Anderson goes BEACHY with Coastal Designed Belts NEW at Skipjack

Starfish Buckle. Pewter starfish buckle with your choice of belt color.

In the fall of 2009 Patty Anderson introduced a line of women's belt buckles and premium leather belts. The pewter buckles are created from Patty's drawings and designs. The buckles are worn on very high quality premium leather that comes in the most beautiful array of colors.

Scallop Buckle. Pewter scallop shell design buckle with your choice of belt color

Sea Turtle Buckle. Pewter sea turtle buckle with your choice of belt color.

Sand Dollar Buckle. Large pewter sand dollar buckle with your choice of belt color.

Pair the buckle of your choice with a leather belt in any of 14 colors.

You can 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. Currently Patty has four more buckles in the works, a heart, flower, anchor and a whale. Not to mention a men's line of belts that will be available in a variety of materials. " I have had a number of women ask me to design belts for their husbands, boyfriends and sons, and men ask me to create belts for them as well. I am looking forward to introducing these." We at Skipjack are too!

Patty Anderson's coastal designed belts and custom jewelry are now available on Skipjack's web gallery and our riverfront showroom gallery in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA.  Visit her webpage at Skipjack by clicking here to follow the link!  Click here to visit Skipjack's Nautical Living home page.

Be a Patriot this Fourth of July Weekend

First Friday events: FREE. The Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market: Admission FREE.  The Olde Towne Farmers Market: Admission FREE. Portsmouth, VA. Museums: Admission FREE. Patriot Days Celebration at the Portsmouth Shipyard Museum: Admission FREE. Watching the Fourth of July fireworks aboard the schooner SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE: SPECTACULAR. Celebrating the Fouth of July weekend at Virginia's quaint historic seaport: PRICELESS! Be a patriot! Visit Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA.