By Chelsea Reed
Shiver me timbers! It’s time for a high-seas adventure in the art world. Blissful painted scenes of sailboats are an old and popular subject, especially in the Outer Banks. If you’re looking for an adventure for the eyes to feast on, you’re in good company. Get inspired with these fun maritime pieces at Seaside Art Gallery.
Ahoy, the ocean beckons! But before you head out there looking for buried treasure, it’s good to learn the practical ropes first. This swabbie student has the right idea. Sailing Camp by Suzanne Morris is a fun Impressionistic oil painting inspired by sailing classes often taught at the downtown Waterfront in historic Manteo, NC.
Meanwhile, Wind by Dan Dunn is an acrylic painting that depicts a much more serious situation. The small sailboat embraces for impact as it faces a daunting wave brewed by worsening stormy conditions. Curiously, this piece has a unique “flaw” in the painted sky on the canvas that only seems to give the scene a rather fitting character development. It could be interpreted as a sea bird, or perhaps, an item that flew out of the vessel in the wind. Storms are inevitable in life’s journey - it’s how we handle them that counts.
Sails with bright, bold colors not only provide practical visibility to boaters on the water, they send colorful messages too! This exciting watercolor etching of a windsurfer by David Hunter boasts its bright multi-toned sail. You can feel the action of the wind and waves against your face in this piece.
Have you ever seen a red sail pirate ship in your life? Well, now you have. Red Sails on Evening Raid is a striking oil painting by Beverly Abbott. Inspired by real 18th century pirate ships and the modern-day Jolly Rover in Key West, FL, this painted vessel confidently sports its Jolly Roger and crimson sails in the twilight.
A grand maritime adventure is not complete without the return voyage home. After all, getting to the destination is only half the journey! Sometimes, the best sailing ventures don’t leave harbor (Or at least in the Outer Banks, the soundside). Shipshape by Debra Kierce is a fun little charcoal piece in a three-dimensional frame that tributes the pleasures of coastal life. The fun frame is intended for personal art viewing fun.
One of the best ways to cap off a sailing trip is to ride into the sunset. This dreamy watercolor by Betty C. White is a lovely piece in a handsome high contrast frame. It’s perfect for the beach cottage or as a memento of your Outer Banks vacation.
Wherever life takes you, get inspired with even more blissful nautical adventures with Seaside Art Gallery’s Seascape / Marine Collection. See the art now on the website here.
Chelsea Reed is a copywriter who writes winning content, articles, blogs, and websites from her base in North Carolina. She might not be building sandcastles or swashbuckling with pirates these days, but the Outer Banks beaches continue to keep her young at heart.
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An award-winning master artist, teacher, and wildlife enthusiast, David Hunter enjoys demonstrating the craft of depicting animals and the great outdoors in his etchings. His wonderful interpretations of the Outer Banks are no exception, and they often herald the celebration of classic American summers and their natural settings.
