Tag Archives: art blogs

Aboard the SeaFair!

On the journey back from its summer season in New England, SeaFair- America’s Megayacht Venue- stopped in Morehead City, North Carolina to participate in the 25th Anniversary of the North Carolina Seafood Festival, which was recently voted the best event in the Southeast.

SeaFair partnered with the Arts Council of Carteret County, Downtown Morehead City Revitalization Association and the NC Seafood Festival organizers to present an exhibition of unique works from North Carolina artists as well as internationally renowned artists throughout the weekend.

ABOUT SEAFAIR

SeaFair is the world’s first mobile megayacht venue and one of the largest private yachts in the United States. Groundbreaking in scale, ingenuity and style, the innovative exhibition facility – which remains dockside during each event – pairs international fine art, jewelry and collectables with harbor view dining and special events in cities along the eastern seaboard.

The ship boasts three decks of international galleries, two outdoor bars, an international coffee bar, as well as a formal glass-walled restaurant and an open-air bistro on the Sky Deck.

The $40M purpose built exhibition yacht was designed by internationally acclaimed yacht designer Luiz de Basto. At 228 feet and 2,800 international tons, it is one of the largest ships built for commercial operation in the Intracoastal Waterway and requires a draft of only 6.5 feet, allowing it to dock at yacht facilities in central city locations rather than use commercial ports.

SeaFair is owned and operated by International Fine Art Expositions (IFAE). IFAE Principals, David and Lee Ann Lester have been in the art fair industry for over 20 years and have organized over 70 international art fairs in art capitals around the world including New York, Chicago, Hong Kong, and London. IFAE has pioneered the Florida market establishing the American International Fine Art Fair (AIFAF) in 1997, now the premiere fine art fair in America, and Art Palm Beach in 1998, one of Florida’s most celebrated contemporary fairs. In addition, the firm founded Miami Florida’s original international art fair, Art Miami, in 1991. In 2011, IFAE launched two of the most successful fairs inaugurated that year, Naples International Art & Antique Fair (NIAAF) and Art Naples.

For more information on SeaFair, please visit www.expoships.com.

“Cape Lookout Friends”

“Cape Lookout Friends” 17.5″ x 28″ Acrylic on Canvas, Gallery-Wrapped

AVAILABLE:

North Carolina Seafood Festival

September 30 – October 2, 2011

“ArtSplendor” aboard the Mega-Yacht, SeaFair

http://www.expoships.com/

http://www.expoships.com/current_fairs/2011/north_carolina/about.html

Portside Marina
209 Arendell Street
Morehead City, NC

“Swansboro Salt Marsh”

“Swansboro Salt Marsh” 11″ x 14″ Acrylic on Canvas, Framed

AVAILABLE:

North Carolina Seafood Festival

September 30 – October 2, 2011

“ArtSplendor” aboard the Mega-Yacht, SeaFair

http://www.expoships.com/

http://www.expoships.com/current_fairs/2011/north_carolina/about.html

Portside Marina
209 Arendell Street
Morehead City, NC

“View From Camp Albemarle”

“View From Camp Albemarle” 8″ x 10″ Acrylic on Canvas, Framed

AVAILABLE:

North Carolina Seafood Festival

September 30 – October 2, 2011

“ArtSplendor” aboard the Mega-Yacht, SeaFair

http://www.expoships.com/

http://www.expoships.com/current_fairs/2011/north_carolina/about.html

Portside Marina
209 Arendell Street
Morehead City, NC

“Atlantic Beach Sunset”

“Atlantic Beach Sunset” 12″ x 24″ Acrylic on Canvas, Framed

AVAILABLE:

North Carolina Seafood Festival

September 30 – October 2, 2011

“ArtSplendor” aboard the Mega-Yacht, SeaFair

http://www.expoships.com/

http://www.expoships.com/current_fairs/2011/north_carolina/about.html

Portside Marina
209 Arendell Street
Morehead City, NC

“Live Oaks on Bogue Sound”

“Live Oaks on Bogue Sound” 6″ x 8″ Acrylic on Canvas

When I think of Anne and Jim Stevens, I think of the incredible view from their home on Bogue Sound. They once told me that the entire view had been covered with live oaks before several hurricanes thinned them out. However, the loss of several trees has not lessened the view. It has only changed the view to offer a beautiful vista of more sound and sky. And, the live oaks still flourish on the waterway.

I also think of stories Anne told me of her son, Alan. He would go out into the sound to search for large conch shells. I am told Alan was allergic to flowers and he discovered that bringing Anne conchs would be a treasured replacement for special gifts. Anne has one of the bountiful collections of gigantic and unusual conch collections I have ever seen.

I wanted to paint a little something for Anne’s 60th birthday. Happy Birthday, Anne! Cheers, my friend!

The “Wedding Tree” Was Lost…

I was saddened to learn that the “Wedding Tree” at the Country Club of the Crystal Coast on Bogue Sound was lost during Hurricane Irene. I painted the tree in honor of my daughter’s wedding in April, as well as for others who also hold a special place in their heart for this majestic landmark.

For anyone who is interested, an original painting (below), as well as prints in various sizes are available through Arts & Things Gallery.

“The Wedding Tree” 24″ x 36″ Acrylic on Canvas – Original and Prints

AVAILABLE:

Arts & Things Gallery
704 Evans Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 240-1979
Fax (252) 808-3168
Email: artsnthings@bizec.rr.com

“Hondo and Boots”

“Hondo and Boots” 16″ x 20″ Acrylic on Canvas

For Mary Katherine’s mother, Karen, on her birthday.

To discover how this painting evolved, click HERE.

Tour de Sunflowers

“Tour de Sunflowers” 25″ x 85″ Acrylic on Canvas

For Katherine’s Birthday!

To learn more about how this project evolved, click HERE

Swansboro Shrimp Boats

“Three Sisters” 24″ x 36″ Acrylic on Canvas, Framed

When I think of Swansboro, N.C., one of the first images my mind conjures up is the view of the three shrimp boats docked at Clyde Phillips Seafood Market. I am sure I am not alone with this thought. The three sisters are local icons – a lovely and unique sight to behold!

I have a burning question in life. I wonder who decided and why they decided to paint the rigging red on these glorious ships.  The rigging makes these ships so very striking and distinct.

When these ships leave the comfort of their Swansboro harbor for fishing in distant waters,  they must be immediately recognizable to other fishing vessels and crew.

Is it a branding? – a way of saying “Hello fellow fisherman! We are here!”?

Perhaps the red rigging illuminates like a beacon in fog and storm and provides an added measure of safety.

Or, maybe the answer is quite simple as someone recently suggested as we pondered the question, “What if there was a sale on red paint and that alone was the deciding factor;-) ? After all, we supposed those things happen, too!

What if the decision to paint the rigging red was simply a design choice because red was a favorite color? That is certainly why my husband’s bike is red, along with his helmet, jersey, socks, water bottle and anything else he can make red. Of course, he did go to NCSU.

The walls in my den are red, but I am not a red fanatic.  (And no, there was not a sale on red paint, nor did I attend NCSU.) Red just happens to be the color chosen to warmly accentuate my favorite color, green… and the accompanying deep green leather furniture.

I am certain of one thing. I have to believe there is a great story about the Swansboro shrimp boats’ red rigging. If anyone knows, or should find out, please let me know!

Clyde Phillips Seafood Market Series

Available:  Tidewater Gallery, Swansboro, N.C.