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Master Painter John Stobart Premiers New Work at Discover Portsmouth

Gosport_Chapel_on_Star_Island_by_John_StobartNEW SHOALS EXHIBIT

Original paintings by celebrated maritime artist John Stobart will be on display in the upper gallery at Discover Portsmouth beginning June 1. These gorgeous oil paintings were specifically created by Mr. Stobart to complement the exhibit Under the Isles of Shoals that features artifacts recently unearthed on Smuttynose Island that is now running in the lower gallery. (Continued below)

 

Stobart’s new work will join a large display of Shoals’ photographs by Alexandra de Steiguer, Bruce Parsons, and Peter Randall. An opening free reception (RSVP suggested) with the artist will be held June 1 from 5-7pm and a gallery talk will follow on June 2 at 11am.

This new series of four Stobart paintings was created this past winter. Stobart made a trip to the Isles of Shoals last fall, and based his paintings on the sketches that he made during this trip. The work features familiar scenes including: Star Island Chapel and Smuttynose Cove. The paintings are on a smaller scale than the artist’s typical maritime work in order to ensure completion of all four paintings over the winter.

Smuttynose_Cove_by_John_Stobart_2012

John Stobart is one of the world’s best living maritime painters. He was born in Leicester England and he spent five years at the Royal Academy in London learning traditional methods of drawing and painting. He first came to the United States in 1965 with his maritime paintings and was an immediate success in New York City, selling out at his one-man shows. His works of accurate and detailed ships and maritime scenes, both historic and contemporary, are beloved and collected by many. He started Maritime Heritage Prints in 1976 so that more people could enjoy his images of the sea through numbered, limited prints. In 1989, he established the Stobart Foundation to promote traditional teaching of the fundamentals to students who excel in onsite, outdoor paintings.

Mr. Stobart had the idea for a special Shoals series after his work was exhibited at Discover Portsmouth last summer. He participated in the Maritime Portsmouth show containing over 200 Piscataqua-region paintings and items from the collection of the late philanthropist Joseph Sawtelle. Stobart’s painting of Ceres Street in the Age of Sail, commissioned by Sawtelle, appeared on the cover of the accompanying book.

The artist says he enjoyed the warm reception he received in Portsmouth and the upstairs gallery setting of the new downtown visitor’s center. John Stobart has also made a generous donation to Discover Portsmouth to help the nonprofit organization raise funds towards its mission. Since last year the former public library building has undergone a $1 million renovation and is continuing to fundraise for future upgrades. Discover Portsmouth is operated by the Portsmouth Historical Society.

Those interested in attending the June 1 opening reception with the artist should RSVP by May 29. Space is limited. Send all requests to Discover Portsmouth program director Laura Calhoun at 603-436-8433. Mr. Stobart will also present a gallery talk about his new paintings at Discover Portsmouth the following day, June 2 at 11:00 am.

Limited edition, numbered prints of Stobart’s paintings will also be available for sale throughout the summer in the gift shop. Photographs in the upstairs gallery may also be purchased. Both the upstairs and downstairs exhibits are free to the public at 10 Middle Street daily from 10am – 5pm through August 31.

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