them , how they were rigged and the captains who sailed them. Another man who played and important part in developing Tom's sense of these vessels was the late Gordon Thomas who made it his life 's work to accumulate and dispense accurate information on Gloucester schooners. He spent his life collecting photographs, reviewing newspaper files, and poring over the records of government agencies to uncover information on them. He compiled much of this information in his book Fast & Able which chronicled the stories of 76 of these vessels. His tremendous collection of photographs has now been turned over to the Cape Ann Historical Association where it may serve other painters, as it does Tom. And there's Dana Story, whose father Arthur Dana Story was the leading builder of Gloucester schooners at the end of the 19th century. He is another friend and valuable source of information for Tom. He has compiled a list of 1,100 wooden ships launched at Essex at the different yards over a period of 107 years. With the help of these men , and many others, and with Tom 's own collection of reference material , he is able to ensure
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the accuracy of his work and include information in his paintings that either may not have been brought to the surface before or was in danger of slipping away forever. Like the author who spends years researching his subject before writing the definitive history, Tom is preserving for posterity little-known facts about a way of life that has now passed from the scene. Of this he says,"I was born too late to witness this, and am therefore trying to recreate these scenes for .my own enjoyment so I can see the things that I can see no other way. Through research I strive to make them as accurate as possible and have the people in the vessels look as they looked in those days, trying to create a sense of being there on the spot, witnessing for yourself." But Tom's paintings are much more than a description of a particular event or moment in time, much more than the literal sum of their parts. While he strives for great accuracy, he is also able to imbue his works with a powerful spirit and evocative energy that makes them more than mere illustrations. Like all good artists he realizes that it is the composition, line and qua! ity of painting that sets the stage for his message to be delivered, and he will spend days, even weeks, working an idea up through a series of thumbnail sketches into a fullscale highly detailed pencil rendering of the picture to get each element in just the right proportion and place. He refers to the sketch constantly while working on the painting, so that with everything in place he can concentrate on painting the picture. It is this kind of dedication to his craft and painstaking care that has made Tom one of the most sought after and recognized marine artists working today. His paintings are the focal point of the Russell
Knight collection in the permanent Fisheries exhibit at the Peabody Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. A Fellow of the American Society of Marine Artists, he was awarded, in 1983, the Rudolph J. Schaefer award at the Mystic International Exhibition. This award is given annually to the marine artist whose work "best documents our maritime heritage, past or present for generations of the future." Hi s work can be found in private collections all across the country and thou sands more have been able to enjoy hi s unique images through the many limited edition prints that have recently been made available of hi s paintings. As interest in contemporary marine art contin ues its explosive growth, more and more talented artists than ever before are devoting their considerable skills to depicting and recreating all aspects of maritime life. These artists are working within the great tradition of the artists who have gone before them , and this activity is producing its own modern masters who continue to be sought after by the next generation. As the rugged, hard-working men Tom Hoyne admires so earned their place in the annals of seafaring, Tom has earned his place among the masters of marine art now and in the future . w
J. Russe/!Jinishian is the Director ofthe Mystic Maritime Galle1y of the Mystic Seaport Museum Store , Mystic CT.
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Ocean Liner Memorabilia, etc. Send $2.00 for list. refundable on purchase.
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ORIGINAL OIL PAINTINGS OF THE SHIP OF YOUR CHOICE RENOWN SHIP PORTRAITURE ARTIST
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SEA HISTORY, SPRING 1989