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Most inventive?

'HH Bennett' photographer-inventor
The photographer who made of the Dells of the Wisconsin River known all around the USA was Henry Hamilton Bennett He helped make his city into a major tourist spot.

'Shooting Kilbourn Dam Rapids' photo

'Shooting Kilbourn Dam Rapids' photo

'Raftsman Archie Young' photo

'Raftsman Archie Young' photo

'Preparing to run the Dells' photo

'Preparing to run the Dells' photo

Bennett was born in Canada but raised in Brattleboro, Vermont. In 1857, he moved with his father and uncle to Wisconsin, settling in the city that later was called Wisconsin Dells. As a civil war soldier, Bennett fought in the Battle of Vicksburg and later was severely wounded by the accidental discharge of his own gun.

The limits imposed by the injury encouraged him to seek a leisurely occupation after the war, so he bought a photography studio back home. He was married to Francis Douty, and they had three children. After Francis died, he married Evaline Marshall.

The limited demand for portraits locally turned him to developing more portable gear. With this he hoped to be free to tour the local countryside taking scenic pictures. His main subject became the Wisconsin River Dells, a gorge with numerous sandstone formations.

Invention #1. His creativity made him realize that the three dimensional aspect of the rock formations would be lost in two-dimensional photographs, so he began making stereoscopic images to overcome this visual drawback. These early 3-D views soon became popular in cities across the United States.

Invention #2. He innovated further by inventing a stop-action shutter which took photographs of instantaneous events. This creative genius met the challenge of the several minutes’ delay it once took for a camera to take a picture, which meant movement caused the picture to blur. So his new shutter could take clear pictures of moving subjects.

Invention #3. In the 1880’s, he became interested in creating a photographic series based on the activities of river raftsmen as they rode their lumber to market. So he and his son made a week-long trip on a lumber raft between Kilbourn and Boscobel, Wisconsin, completing thirty different pictures. This is when photo journalism was invented to tell a story through a series.

More portable camera models became widespread in the 1890s, erasing the novelty of Bennett’s scenic work. Tourists were now able to take their own souvenir photos rather than buying Bennett’s postcards. But this ever-innovative man pressed on, adapting by stocking gift items in his shop to increase sales. So he was able to continue as a professional landscape photographer until his death in 1908.

See much more about this revolutionary figure in American photography [usually known as HH Bennett] here.

Carol Lois Haywood

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2010 03 14 Administrator Historic working boat
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Overcoming obstacles from within, without

Elton Bennett of Hoquiam, Washington Elton Bennett (1910-1974) saw the creative potential in silkscreen or serigraph printing because it offered so many possibilities for changing and developing his compositions over time. He used a great number of screens and color combinations with any particular image, so that each individual print was truly unique. The look he created is breathtaking and original because his rough linear motifs are paired dynamically with soft yet striking color areas.

'Ship' serigraph print by Elton Bennett

'Ship' serigraph print by Elton Bennett

Bennett grew up in Hoquiam, Washington on the Pacific coast in the Grays Harbor region. Here, lumbering, fishing, and dredging are the usual occupations. The artist himself knew this kind of work firsthand before he turned to art making.

A single year of formal art studies at Washington State University, Pullman, in the early days got him started. But it was military service in World War II that gave him the opportunity to develop his talent and vision more fully: like other veterans he received a government allowance to pursue college work of his choice after he returned home. His new bride Flora Broadie encouraged him to follow his dream by entering the Portland Art Museum School.

serigraph by Elton Bennett

serigraph by Elton Bennett

Being older than other art students set him apart. But even more did his style, uniquely his own. After enduring two years, he returned in frustration to work in the trades for several years. Still he pursued his dream by saving enough during that time to begin working at his art full time.

'The Quiet Place' serigraph print by Elton Bennett

'The Quiet Place' serigraph print by Elton Bennett

It’s a good thing for Bennett and for art lovers he was so persistent! His work has since become a series of iconic glimpses into the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Soon enough tragedy struck with the artist’s death alongside his wife in an airplane crash at age 64.

'Westport Dock' serigraph print by Elton Bennett

'Westport Dock' serigraph print by Elton Bennett

He made a difficult choice to remain in the Hoquiam area, a place perfect for the scenic views he pursued. But his choice was deadly for his reputation in the urban art scene of Seattle, where it seems he was practically unknown during his lifetime. Bennett found ways to reach the public with his art in his own community, with whom it become immensely popular over the years. Now those prints bought for smiles or cookies can sell for more than $1,000 apiece, in Seattle or Hoquiam.

His daughter Barbara recalls an annual family event that revealed the character of the artist and the power of his charm:

“One of the highlights of the year was the annual Driftwood Show in Grayland. My father was a participant for as long as I remember, and he would prepare for the event by creating a special small silkscreen. He would bring this screen, along with his oil inks, paper and squeegee, setting up a demonstration of the silkscreen process.

“This proved to be a great success, and the small black and white prints were eagerly anticipated by his ever increasing customers. My father would encourage children to accept one of these free samples, and he made quite a game of the gift. His knowledge of human nature had proven to him that people don’t often appreciate something which comes to them too easily. On the other hand, he wanted to make these small prints available to all. His solution was to make a request which was simple and cheap.”

Among the ordinary people of his community, his art had great appeal. Sometimes they would sacrifice to purchase one of his prints.

While he was part of a school of Pacific Northwest print-makers, but his work seems little known outside the region. Probably because the art support is paper and the medium is anything but oil paint would be my opinion. This exclusive prejudice has limited critical appreciation of artistic genius for a couple of centuries now. In fact, several other artists will be featured here soon, who appear to be students of Bennett’s approach. Watch this space for incredible artists whom you have probably never heard of!

The daughter quoted above has created an impressive art website to display her father’s work in great depth. Visit it for more of her anecdotes and for many more views of Bennett’s amazing prints.

Read a recent news feature on Elton Bennett’s life and art.
To see his work in person, two venues exist:
1. Polson Museum, 1611 Riverside Avenue, Hoquiam, Washington, where the Museum Store has “Elton Bennett matted lithographs” on sale, or
2. Bonnie Kahn’s Wild West Gallery, 25 Northwest 23rd Place, Suite #6, Portland, Oregon, actively handles his work.

Carol Lois Haywood

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2010 03 12 Administrator Historic working boat
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Activist fisherman, local hero

Steve Fitz photo, credit: Kurt Rogers of San Francisco Chronicle

Steve Fitz photo, credit: Kurt Rogers of San Francisco Chronicle

Steve Fitz, left, at work on the FV 'Mr Morgan'

Steve Fitz, left, at work on the FV 'Mr Morgan', photo credit: Juan Carlos Pometta Betancourt, special to The San Francisco Examiner)

The FV Mr Morgan is 58.8′ in length, weighing 87 gross tons, built in 1978, captained by Steve Fitz of Half Moon Bay, California. Its home port is Pillar Point Harbor, the gateway to northern California’s Monterey Bay. After noticing the boat several times, impressed by its great size and dark hull standing out from most other local commercial boats, I created this ink drawing.

Eventually I learned that the skipper is prominent, not only as successful flatfish provider to retail outlets locally, but an articulate voice for local commercial fishermen. Steve Fitz mainly fishes for petrale sole and sand dabs, whose populations remain healthy, so he has managed to maintain operations in hard times.

“We have a saying on this boat,” said Fitz, a slim, sinewy man with a mop of salt-and-pepper hair and a wry smile that sometimes verges on bitterness. “Every ‘dab a dinner.” The plump sand dab is a flounder-like creature. That adds up to a lot of dinners coming off Fitz’s trawler, the Mr. Morgan. Based in Half Moon Bay, the boat lands up to 10,000 pounds of sand dabs a week at the Pillar Point Pier.

'Mr Morgan' 10x8 ink drawing by Carol Lois Haywood

Fitz became a lead plaintiff on the suit filed in the case of the 2002 Cosco Busan oil spill in San Francisco Bay. He and John Tarantino, a longtime friend and fellow fisherman out of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, decided to seek protection for local fishermen’s interests in this legal battle. At the request of local commercial crabbers, the the Dungeness Crab season was cancelled, for example, with major financial consequences for them all.

He has been active with the local commercial fishing industry. When local authorities wanted to use the harbor as dump for contaminated material dredged from the bottom of San Francisco Bay in 1988, Fitz took up the battle. The environmental impact on Monterey Bay fish populations would have been disastrous. The newborn Half Moon Bay Fisherman’s Marketing Association opposed the Port of Oakland and the Army Corps of Engineers in their heedless plan. That was a time when environmentalists began to realize they had allies in the local fishing industry.

This “local hero” grew up in a small Cape Cod fishing village, Chatham, Massachusetts. As a young man, he became aware of small fishing boat crews. But it was only an idea until 1972, when he transferred from Boston University–to the deck of a 40′ wooden long-liner named “Destiny.” And never looked back. Since then, he has crewed upon and captained commercial boats in New England, the North Sea, Alaska and California.He later took advantage of a grant for a fisherman to learn the environmentally-friendly method of harvesting bottom fish known as Scottish Seining.

Here Fitz had found his true niche. He equipped a small fishing boat with seine gear and used it on Georges Banks of the Atlantic with great success. Eventually that same fishing boat and rig was moved to Half Moon Bay on the Pacific Ocean. The beginning of the safe sand-dab fishery! Fitz’ method offers the Bay Area high quality flatfish without harm to the ocean floor.

Carol Lois Haywood

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2010 03 10 Administrator Atlantic Fishing Families
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Know the ‘Fisherman’s Bend’?

On the job with Linda Greenlaw

On the job with Linda Greenlaw

'Fisherman's Bend' by Linda Greenlaw

'Fisherman's Bend' by Linda Greenlaw

'Slipnot' latest mystery by Linda Greenlaw

'Slipnot' latest mystery by Linda Greenlaw

Outstanding murder mystery with an Atlantic fishing village setting! Even this demanding reader was pleased! Try Fisherman’s Bend yourself–or Slipknot, also by Linda Greenlaw (New York: Hyperion, 2008).

Greenlaw,skipper of the fishing boat Hannah Boden was linked personally to the crew of the fishing vessel Andrea Gail, whose tragic end was central to the book and movie about this real life drama. Her own knowledge of the events during the October 1991 oceanic nightmare was included in both accounts. More about her writing career and fishing life here.

'The Perfect Storm' by Sebastian Junger, 1997

'The Perfect Storm' by Sebastian Junger, 1997

'Perfect Storm' film,starring George Clooney, mark Wahlberg, and Diane Lane

'Perfect Storm' film,starring George Clooney, mark Wahlberg, and Diane Lane

The Perfect Storm nonfiction account by Sebastian Junger later became a major movie, where Greenlaw’s character was portrayed by actor Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Captain of the Andrea Gail, Billy Tyne (played by George Clooney)–whose fate along with his crew is central to the story–was a close friend.

Greenlaw expressed doubt about their going out in what she considered dangerous weather and was the last person to speak with the crew of the Andrea Gail before its tragic end.

I confess here that I have never had the guts to read the book or see the movie–that’s how deeply I dread experiencing, even secondhand, those terrible moments! (I hope someday soon I will have what it takes to change this fact.)

. . .Here is very recent news about the high-seas adventures of this author/fisherwoman.
. . .More interesting stories about this celebrity and fisherwoman are found here.

Carol Lois Haywood

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2010 03 05 Administrator Atlantic Fishing Families
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Preserver of the total bay experience

Ned Tillman

Ned Tillman

Who speaks up for water? Who helps us understand how vital water is to every living thing (including ourselves)? Ned Tillman is one who does.

Tillman’s new book,The Chesapeake Watershed, helps create a sense of this special place. It also calls people to action to help save the Bay. A blend of natural history and personal narrative, the book takes the reader into the murky shallows of the Bay to chase crabs, onto the Eastern Shore to hunt quail, and into the Piedmont to paddle through white water. Each chapter gives suggestions on how one can become a better steward of the watershed and our planet.

He is first and last a great communicator: both speaking and writing. He explains how the great Chesapeake watershed system works, focusing on how the Bay got to be as it is now and what it could become.

Tillman has always lived in the Chesapeake Bay region and enjoyed its beauty as an active sportsman. Which turned him into an environmentalist. He has chaired the County Environmental Sustainability Board, the Howard County Conservancy, and the Maryland Geothermal Energy Commission.

In numerous settings Tillman has pursued his vision: after receiving a BA in earth and environmental sciences from Franklin and Marshall College, as well as a MS from Syracuse University, he has worked at The Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland. Also a major figure at Target Environmental, Columbia Technologies, and Growth Adventures.

These stories from the Chesapeake take you on a fascinating journey through nature and time, illustrating the importance of experiencing nature and the urgency of preserving it.–Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods.

To learn more or contact Ned Tillman, click here.

Carol Lois Haywood

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2010 03 03 Administrator Other Comments (0) Permalink

Extraordinary subtlety, sensitive abstraction

'Valparaiso Boats' by Steve Hills

'Valparaiso Boats' by Steve Hills

Steve Hills sold his first watercolor to his fourth grade teacher! While still in art school, he worked for Bryant Galleries. During military service, Hills ran the graphics department of the Berlin Brigade.

'Destin Nets, 1978' by Steve Hills

'Destin Nets, 1978' by Steve Hills

For several years, the versatile Hills worked in commercial illustration and design in Louisiana and California. He graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles.

'Niceville Nets' by Steve Shill

'Niceville Nets' by Steve Hills

This very subtle, very sensitive, very stylized artist loves painting “the ocean, boats, people on the beach, houses with character, and old gas stations.”

'Outriggers' by Steve Hills

'Outriggers' by Steve Hills

His watercolor technique is quite original, and his adventurous color choices are engaging. While he revels in observing sculptural details with his brush, I am glad to say it’s always in service of a specific theme.

Obviously from his online art, he has a number of subjects that inspire him besides local fishing boats. Maybe this post will encourage him to do more! (I thought I would be able to choose only three of these to post, but I found I loved them all too much.)

Visit his website today!

Carol Lois Haywood

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2010 02 27 Administrator Today's Maritime Painters Comments (0) Permalink

True to his calling

Captain and artist Phil Cusumano

Captain and artist Phil Cusumano


Phil Cusumano has lived the very truth of his subject, commercial fishing, both as a marine artist and a sea captain. These exciting paintings drop you in the middle of the action! Most will find his strong color hues also drawing you to his art.

'Hand-off' by Phil Cusumano

'Hand-off' by Phil Cusumano

He works both in the present and the past, moving from the schooner era, to Gloucester, Massachusetts in early 20th century, to life aboard a modern fish dragger. His work invites the viewer right on board, to witness the harsh reality of fishermen’s daily work.

'Foggy Morning at Cape Pond Ice' by Phil Cusumano

'Foggy Morning at Cape Pond Ice' by Phil Cusumano

A Gloucester, MA, native, Cusumano has strong ties to the fishing industry. At thirteen, he was fishing during summer vacations on his father’s commercial draggers. After high school graduation, he fished full time on his father’s boats. “But,” he notes, “I was always drawing, even out at sea.”

'Early Morning, Georges Bank' by Phil Cusumano

'Early Morning, Georges Bank' by Phil Cusumano

He honed his artistic skills further when he studied at the Vesper George School of Art in Boston. He also worked with Rockport, MA, artist John Terelak. Then he felt the call of the sea and returned to commercial fishing to become captain of his father’s second boat. His nineteen years in commercial fishing took him from Portland, Maine, to Martha’s Vineyard, MA, to 200 miles offshore.

Eventually Cusumano decided to pursue his creative art, opening a small business as a graphic designer.

He signs his paintings with signature “Filippo”, his given name as it actually appears on his birth certificate.

Cusumano works in watercolor and oil and also produces mirror etchings. This Gloucester resident’s day job is running North Star Yacht Deliveries,as well as On the Water Training,a delivery and teaching service specializing in the transport of large and small yachts, power and sail. He trains individual boat owners to keep their boating safe and pleasurable.

His paintings are on view to the public at the Peabody-Essex Museum in Salem, MA. Or you may view many more of his colorful and detailed maritime works here at his website.

Carol Lois Haywood

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2010 02 25 Administrator Atlantic Fishing Families
Contemporary working boat
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True colors

'Lobster Boats' by Ron Conry

'Lobster Boats' by Ron Conry

A renaissance man, Ron Conry studied art history in college. His media include not only oil, watercolor, and photography, but also engraving in fine metals.

'Delta Lady' 8x10 watercolor by Ron Conry

'Delta Lady' 8x10 watercolor by Ron Conry

His art is seen at regional shows in New Jersey, Maine, and Vermont. Conry has just recently joined The Art Gallery in Stowe, VT.

'Tides Out' 8x10 watercolor by Ron Conry

'Tides Out' 8x10 watercolor by Ron Conry

As you can see by my four selections, I am drawn to his watercolor efforts: regular readers of this blog will probably recognize my passion for watercolor emerging once again. His low-key palette of colors gets praise from me for reflecting truthfully the typical weather of coastal life. The varied surface textures mimicking reality give the excitement to his work.

'Tuckerton Seaport' 11x14 watercolor by Ron Conry

'Tuckerton Seaport' 11x14 watercolor by Ron Conry

The best place to enjoy Conry’s body of work is at his online art shop at Etsy.com. There is where my discovery of this fine artist occurred.

You may also find his creations online at Greeting Card Universe and Zazzle.

Carol Lois Haywood

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2010 02 22 Administrator Contemporary working boat
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‘Funk, junk, antiquity’

Brian Stewart at work

Brian Stewart at work

This Minnesotan originally comes from California. Brian Stewart’s excellent paintings are renown for “funk, junk and antiquity!” Floats my boat. . .

'The Tug' by Brian Stewart

'The Tug' by Brian Stewart, 9x12 oil on canvas on board

His first career was advertising, but twenty years ago fine art claimed him. Not only a fine studio painter, he is devoted to working plein air as well.

'Home on the Mississippi' by Brian Stewart

'Home on the Mississippi' by Brian Stewart 12 x16, oil on canvas on board

Stewart teaches painting too: his next gig is a five-day outdoor painting event on Barbados.The workshop is open to both local students and those from afar–and meant for all levels of experience.

'Gill Netter" by Brian Stewart

'The Gill Netter' by Brian Stewart, 9x12 oil on canvas on board

Stewart’s oil paintings are well observed, subtle and low-key as to color choice, and very rooted in the local scene for inspiration.

While he doesn’t show working boats in great numbers on his website, maybe being featured here will encourage him to do more! His talent for celebrating funk and rust with enthusiasm pleases my eye.
Visit Stewart’s website to enjoy more of his work!

Carol Lois Haywood

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2010 02 19 Administrator Contemporary working boat
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Final voyage

Farewell to Phil Harris of 'Deadliest Catch'

Farewell to Phil Harris of 'Deadliest Catch'

The passing of one of Discovery Channel’s favorite fishing captains, Phil Harris, occurred last week after he suffered a stroke.

photo: Harris' craft, F/V 'Cornelia Marie'

photo: Harris' craft, F/V 'Cornelia Marie'

Appearing in all five seasons of filming “Deadliest Catch,” Harris’ fishing vessel was the Cornelia Marie. Besides the publicity shot, I found several other artistic tributes to his beloved boat, shown here.

'Cornelia Marie,' in Legos by a child

'Cornelia Marie,' in Legos by a child

'Cornelia Marie' acrylic on paper, by artist Railwolf

'Cornelia Marie' acrylic on paper, by artist Railwolf

Fishing vessel 'Cornelia Marie' as a wooden model

Fishing vessel 'Cornelia Marie' as a wooden model

As a memorial tribute to Phil Harris, Discovery Channel will run a marathon of “Deadliest Catch” episodes where he and his crew are prominent this Saturday, February 20, from 12 noon to 3 pm. An unusual event, not to be missed!

Carol Lois Haywood

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2010 02 18 Administrator Contemporary working boat
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