For many years now, my family has held the tradition of going to Ocean City, New Jersey on Easter. This year was the first time we weren’t able to go due to the current restrictions from Co-Vid 19. I would have loved to spend the day on “the boards” with my 3 year old grandson and my two year old grand-daughter; not to mention my three beautiful daughters and my lovely wife. 

I was feeling disappointed we couldn’t go but knowing how my art serves as a form of therapy, I decided to look at a few of my old paintings inspired by Ocean City. I came across one of my favorites entitled “On the Way.” This painting captures the moment your feet leave the Ocean City boardwalk and hit the cool sand, as you start to make your way across the dunes on a bright spring day, headed towards the crashing waves.

While holding my painting in my hands, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes; I instantly felt grounded to the earth and her beauty. My mind started to take a trip down memory lane to Easter 1984; remembering when my wife and I took our oldest daughter to Ocean City for the very first time. Even though my daughter is in her 30s now, I could still see her as a toddler, clear as day, sitting on her very first boardwalk amusement ride – a red firetruck. I started to reminisce how special Ocean City has become to my family over the years, thinking back fondly to the times my wife and I would pile our three girls into our old brown Chevy Cavalier and head “down to the shore” for the day or the night, even if we had to squeeze into a small motel room and share one bed. 

As I opened my eyes, I was reminded of the power of art. In my painting, the gateway to the beach was also a gateway to my memories. Memories that filled my mind with joy, nostalgia and peace. Even if it was only for a few minutes, I was transported back in time to some of my happiest moments with my wife and my daughters. Instead of feeling sad we weren’t going to the shore this year, my spirits were lifted and I was filled with gratitude for my family. 

DO YOU FEEL ART SERVES AS A GATEWAY FOR YOUR HAPPY MEMORIES?

There is a portrait I painted of my father that sits on a picture ledge in my studio, it’s been there since the very day I finished it. I often look over at this portrait while I am painting and it always gives me a good laugh. This particular painting makes me reminisce about one of my favorite memories with my dad.

It was September of 1978 and I was attending The Philadelphia College Of Art while living at my parents house. One day, my father asked me to paint his portrait; I said yes, of course, I would like to do that for him. I asked him to sit for me and I began to set up my easel and pad; then I quickly decided to use pastels. My dad sat patiently as I began to draw and every so often, he would anxiously ask to see my progress. I consistently responded to be patient but finally after two hours of sitting still he said, “I must see it!” So I showed him – I slowly turned his portrait around; I still remember the surprised look on his face when he realized the portrait depicted him as Count Dracula, the Vampire and not the professional portrait he was expecting. We looked at each other and laughed; my dad was always a good sport. 

On April 16, 2000, my father was diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer and was given six months to live. In October of the same year, my dad started to decline; my wife and I made the decision to bring him into our home on hospice care so he could pass peacefully surrounded by his family. As the days at home with him lingered on, they became very somber and stressful as we saw my father dying and felt helpless. But one day, although he could barely talk, my father rallied the strength to say a few words. After listening close, we realized he was remembering the vampire portrait I did of him. All of us were surprised he remembered this and instead of feeling sad, we all laughed; even my father was laughing with tears in his eyes. I am grateful that in my dad’s last days here on earth, my art was able to break up the sadness and bring joy and comfort to him and my family, even if it was only for a few moments. 

My father passed away shortly after that and for the next ten years on the anniversary of his death, I would try to honor him by painting the “professional” portrait he had always wanted. I had to do this from memory as we did not have many pictures to look at. After almost a decade of trying, I became frustrated that I was not able to achieve a likeness of my father but filled with determination, I decided his 10th anniversary would be the year I finally completed the piece. With great confidence, I closed my eyes, pictured my father’s face once again and took a deep breath. I began the outline and surprisingly, within only an hour and a half, I had a portrait I felt captured the likeness of my dad. 

I took a step back and looked in remembrance at the piece of work that took me ten years to finish. I knew my dad would have been thrilled to see it but I am certain he was right by my side, looking at it with me. Although the original vampire portrait was lost over the years, I decided to recreate it a few years ago. The portrait of my dad will always be a two piece collection. Each version of his portrait represents the memory of joy brought about through art, in both a time of happiness and sadness. The healing power of art is why I continue to be an artist today.

DO YOU BELIEVE ART CAN LIFT SPIRITS DURING A TIME OF SADNESS?

Many artists throughout history have depicted the wonders of water. In the early 19th century, James E. Butterworth, portrayed sailboat yacht races in the New York harbors and if we go back even earlier, many Marine artists recorded Naval history of the great battles between American and English ships. As the years pass, I continue to find myself reading more about Marine artists and understand the connection between water and art.

I also feel intrigued by the level of skill these artists possessed. I find it fascinating how the style of each artist differs from one another, even when depicting the same scene. It truly deepens my belief that the sea is special. There is something healing about standing on the edge of the coast, digging your feet into the sand, looking out into the vast, deep blue horizon, seeing crashing waves, smelling the salt air and hearing seagulls in the distance; that soothes the soul and touches each of us in a very personal way.

The painting above is from my favorite collection of work. Each painting in this series was created using watercolor on canvas board and aims to capture the spirit of coastal life along the East coast. Several years ago, my wife and I visited Cape Ann, MA; which to this day, is my favorite vacation spot. My time spent in this beautiful marine town was responsible for lighting my imagination and peaking my interest in depicting coastal life along the East coast.

The sea continues to be one of my biggest sources of inspiration. I truly enjoy painting seascapes and enjoy every opportunity to escape to a coastal town, even if it’s just for the day. I am fortunate to be less than two hours from the beaches along the coast of New Jersey and find myself looking forward to returning to the beach, now more than ever.

Where is your favorite beach? In what ways are you connected to the sea?

I needed a few moments to escape today so I went back in my phone and looked at photos from one of our last family vacations. My family has made a habit of renting a beach house for a week in the Outerbanks, North Carolina every August for the past couple of years.

This photo was taken during a sunset cruise which departed in the town of Nags Head and traveled south towards Ocracoke Island. It was truly one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. As I stare at this photo, it takes me back to a joyful summer day at the beach with my wife, daughters, son in law and grandchildren. If only every night could end like this!