Steve in Rockport, MA. 
Steve at Rolling Ridge, N. Andover
Steve was born in 1949 into a family with roots in both art and the sea. Steve learned to draw at an early age while watching his artist mother paint and draw in multiple mediums. When Steve was in his early twenties he spent 5 years in the Merchant Marine sailing to ports around the world as a marine engineer.
A self taught artist, Steve began painting in watercolor in 1992. He gave much of his early work away to friends and relatives. Steve began exhibiting his work in public in 2007.
Many of Steve's maritime themed watercolors are a result of extensive research on specific ship construction details, port history and various sea and sky conditions. Steve has a large collection of reference books, ship construction plans, personal reference photos and model ships and dioramas that he has built. All of this could be used as Steve orchestrates his paintings. Once his subject is drafted his application of the watercolor washes are a combination of a painterly technique combined with the strategic placement of detail. In August, Steve and his wife travel to southern Italy while maintaining a studio and a second home near the Adriatic port of Brindisi. Steve spends much of his time painting plein-air during this time in Italy, a welcome change from his normal studio based work.
"My art has been influenced by my experiences at sea, and the ports I’ve visited. Model shipbuilding has influenced my eye for form while literature of the sea has influenced my taste for individuality. I love strong colors and strive to capture a sense of emotion, understated activity and contrasting light in my work.
Steve's art has been exhibited at:
- Museum of America and the Sea, Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT.
- Maine Maritime Museum, Bath, ME.
- Ventura County Maritime Museum, Oxnard, CA.
- Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay, OR.
- Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, WI.
- Biggs Museum of American Art, Dover, DE.
- Towle Hill Studio, Corinth, VT. (solo exhibition)
- Kenosha Public Museum, Kenosha, WI.
- Springfield Museum of Art, Springfield, MO.
- Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Winona, MN.
- Herreshoff Marine Museum, Bristol, R.I.
- Newburyport Art Association, Newburyport, MA. (joint exhibition)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NE Regional Headquarters), Gloucester, MA.
- Cape Cod Cultural Center, S. Yarmouth, MA.
- Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Hagerstown, MD.
- Buffalo and Lake Erie Naval Museum Park, Buffalo, N.Y.
- South Shore Arts Center, Cohasset, MA.
- Cotuit Center for the Arts, Cotuit, MA.
- Cape Cod Maritime Museum, Hyannis, MA.
- Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay, MA.
- Art Complex, Duxbury, MA.
- New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford, MA.
- Arts Center, Old Forge, N.Y.
- New England Watercolor Society Member Exhibitions, Emmanuel Church, Boston, MA.
- Gallery at Firehouse Square New London, CT.
- Churchill Gallery, Newburyport, MA.
- Penobscot Marine Museum, Searsport, ME.
- Custom House Maritime Museum, Newburyport, MA.
- Steve is a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA) and the New England Watercolor Society (NEWS). Steve is also an Artist Member of the Rockport Art Association, Rockport, MA. the Northshore Arts Association, Gloucester, MA. and the Coast Guard Art Program (COGAP). Steve is a member of the USS Constitution Model Shipwright Guild,Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA.
- Transparent Watercolor Society of America National Exhibition 2010, Kenosha, WI.
- Watercolor U.S.A. 2010, Springfield Museum of Art, Springfield, MO. (museum patron purchase)
- 29th Annual Adirondack National Exhibition of American Watercolors 2010, Old Forge, N.Y.
- 29th Annual International Maritime Art Exhibition Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT.
- American Society of Marine Artists Regional Exhibitions 2008, 2009 and 2010
- 17th and 18th Annual Maritime Art Exhibition, Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay, OR.
Awards:
2011
"Jean Collins Award for Excellence in Watercolor" North Shore Arts Association, Gloucester, MA.
"Director's Award" 18th Annual Maritime Art Exhibition, Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay, OR.
"Popular Vote Award" North Shore Arts Association, Gloucester, MA.
"Windsor Newton Purchase Award for Excellence in Watercolor" North Shore Arts Association, Gloucester, MA.
"Edythe S. Ghen Memorial Award for Excellence in Watercolor" North Shore Arts Association, Gloucester, MA.
"Honorable Mention" Annual Spring Members Exhibition, New England Watercolor Society, Boston, MA.
2010
"Lehmann Memorial Award" Transparent Watercolor Society, Kenosha Public Museum, Kenosha, WI.
"Genevera Underwood Award for Excellence in Watercolor" Rockport Art Association, Rockport, MA.
"Silver Medal" USS Constituion Model Shipwright Guild's Annual Model Ship Exhibition 2010, Constituton Museum, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA.
"Popular Vote Award" North Shore Arts Association, Gloucester, MA.
2008
"Museum Purchase Award" 29th Annual International Maritime Art Exhibition, Museum of America and the Sea, Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT.
"Painters Award" Concord Art Association, Concord, MA.
"Gold Medal" USS Constitution Model Shipwright Guild Annual Model Ship Exhibition, Constitution Museum, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA.
"Honorable Mention" International Waters Exhibit of the International Society of Marine Painters, Ventura County Maritime Museum, Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard, CA.
Steve's art is part of many private and corporate collections throughout the United States and Italy.
Contact:
Phone: 978-975-0015