Maritime Art - Murals

Throughout my life, I have worn many hats that sometimes did not fit me. Irregardless, these experiences brought transferable skills that I am able to use today in helping to run our business and work with our customers. A most profound statement from my daughter is as clear as the day she said it. “Mom, no matter what you have done in life, you always come back to your art.” One of my sons stated “My mom lives life creatively, to the extent that almost every aspect of her life emits creative patterns in artwork, cooking, gardening, problem-solving, presence, formerly nursing, adventure, enhancing family relationships, creating workshops and retreats and now working with dad in a business together.”

As with our children, creative energy is strongly affiliated to people in relationships. That is the magic connection for me. Throughout my lifetime my primary focus has and still is caring for people and involvement with art in various forms. In essence, a positive working relationship and creating beautiful works and surroundings for others to enjoy brings a warm spot to my heart.

Another connection is in the brush – there is just something about the brush that ignites a desire to apply paint, varnish or other substance to a surface while observing how the product takes on a new dimension.
Like my husband, I too love the sea, it’s surroundings, old abandoned ships and boats that at one time sailed the waters carrying a diverse people in pursuit of their work, transportation and pleasure. My plastic storage containers house many treasures that I have picked up from the beaches around the world.

My sailing roots go deep, as my heritage can be traced back to the 1600s on my father’s side. A book on the History of Cape Cod indicated that Thomas Howes (Howes is my maiden name) was one of three original settlers on the Cape. My great, great, grandfather Allison Howes, Sr., left a legacy at Cape Cod as a Clipper Ship Captain until steam ships replaced clipper ships and then he decided to move out West and take up ranching. There is a Howes family burial ground and museum in Cape Cod. In the museum is a lithograph of Allison’s ship called “Belle of the West.”

When I first learned of my heritage, I had already completed an ocean scene with three ships in it. My cousin sent me a photo of the lithograph she saw in the museum when visiting there. There were many resemblances in my painting to the “Belle of the West” unknown to me at the time.

I believe that one’s destiny is always with them. And perhaps eludes us until one day we discover what it was all along. You may have figured out by now that the ultimate passion for me is applying oil paint to canvass, water based pigments to murals, decorative art to walls that may include embedded maritime images, varnish to cap rails, and refinish work to interiors within the maritime community and setting.

For over 25 years I have been blessed with opportunities to paint commissioned pieces and somehow convey this blessing by helping others bring forth their creative side. This was accomplished in creative expression groups, in creativity coaching and teaching art to children and adults in my home studio.

And believe or not, the ship yards are kind of fun too. We have owned boats for fresh water use, and have family who live, work, and play on boats. There are a couple of boats on our property – who knows? They may turn into a work of art, some day. Now and then, I enjoy getting out on my own yacht to envision, create, and contemplate our clients’ projects. To be creative, I follow the same advice I give others - get out of the work mode for a while, take in the beautiful surroundings, and clear the mental and physical clutter.

Please contact me to discuss your vision of that special project or painting.

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