Maritte Art News Marine artist Patrick O'Brien has begun a new series of paintings depicting all of the sea battles of the War of 1812. His goal is ro finish rhe paintings in rime for rhe bicentennial of rhe War in 20 12. O 'Brien, rhe cover artisr (USS Constitution vs HMS Java) for rhis issue of Sea History, has painted rhe well-known frigare duels several rimes in rhe pasr, and he is now rurning his arrention rowards rhe lesser-known acrions, such as rhe sinking of HMS Peacock by USS Hornet (1812), which he feels are roo often ignored in rhe marine art field. O 'Brien also plans ro rackle many of rhe colorful exploirs of rhe American privareers, who harassed Brirish shipping for patriorism and profir. O'Brien had a particularly good year in 20 10- rhe US Naval Academy Museum in Annapolis, Maryland, exhibired rwenty-three of his paintings in a special one-man exh ibition, and Mystic Seaport purchased one of his paintings for rheir permanent collection. Look for more images of his arr in Sea History as we cover rhe War of 1812 through articles abo ut the hisrory of rhe War of 1812 and the upcoming bicentennial events in 20 12-2014. For more information about rhe artist and ro purchase or commission a painting, visit his website at: www.PatrickOBrienStudio.com. (Note: You can see some ofhis origi.nal paintings in p erson at the 2011 NMHS Washington DC Awards Dinner in April. See page 8 for details.) William G. Muller, one of the country's pre-eminent chroniclers of the great steamboat era, has been awarded "Fellow Emeritus" status in the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA). When just a boy of five, Muller was so captivated by the sight of a passing steamboat on the Hudson River that it shaped the rest of his life. In his teens he would find employment as an assistant purser on the Day Line, including a job on board the 1909 sidewheeler Robert Fulton, then in her final year. Later he would be promoted ro quartermaster, with responsibilities that included manning the helm and navigating up the river. After service in World War II, Bill rurned his talents ro art, and over the past 35 years has brought the long-gone paddlewheelers ro life through his oils on canvas. You can read his fascinating memoir about his early experiences handling a big steam sidewheeler and view many of his paintings at the ASMA website: www.americansocietyofmarineartists.com-follow the links: "ASMA in Print" and ''ASMA Summer News and Journal." Congratulations Bill!
The Cape Cod Maritime Museum, in collaboration with Ej Mills Brennan of Mashpee Wampanoag and Linda Coombs of Aquinnah Wampanoag, is hosting a juried exhibition in all media ofWampanoag art, entitled
Maushop's Vision: Maritime Art of the Wa.mpanoag. The exhibit is displayed in the rotating gallery of the Cape Cod Maritime M useum, coi nciding with their new primary exhibit, Making Wa.ves: Maritime Ventures on Cape Cod. Both will open when the museum opens for the season on 8 March. Wampanoag maririme art includes: sculpture, painting and drawing, collage, photography, clay, jewelry, beadwork, basketry, and woodwork. Pieces can be traditional or contemporary, but all are handmade by a Wampanoag artist and are based on a maritime theme or use. For more information, contact Director Janet Preston via email at jcpreston@capecodmaritimemuseum .org or at rhe Cape Cod Maritime Museum, 135 South Street, Hyannis, MA 02601 ; Ph. 508 7751723; www.capecodmaritimemuseum.org.
The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport invites visitors "Behind the Canvas," when renowned artists will share their personal stories through lectures, slide presentations, and demonstrations. The artists will discuss what inspires creativity and what qualities art collectors look for in a painting. Tickets are available online at www.mysticseaport.org/tickets or by calling 860 572-5322. General information about what's new at the Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport can be found online ar www.mysricseaport.org/gallery.
•March 19: Lou Bonamarte presents "Virtuoso Watercolorisr." Long-time Maritime Gallery watercolorist Bonamarte will demonstrate how he uses watercolors to create vib rant paintings that are highly sought by collectors. •April 16: Cindy Baron presents "Capruring the Beauty in Narure." Baron, an award-winning artist, instructor, and signature member of the American Watercolor Society, will show how she utilizes both watercolor and oils to capture nature's beauty. Castle Hill Lighthouse by Cindy Baron
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