I came across Russ Kramer, sailing artist on Flickr (I think). He’s an ex-ad agency guy who lives in Mystic, Ct, lucky bugger. He has unique, old-fashioned, Saturday Evening Post style that is perfect at capturing the essence of the classic J-boats and rich old buggers sailing massive wooden yachts. Here are a couple of beauties:
Stunning.
I am from Indiana (about as far away from the ocean as you can get in the US), but have always loved the the many faces of the ocean, its ships and the men and women who have ventured there. Last summer my wife and I were at Mystic to photograph the seaport and, hopefully, some of the tall ships. One evening we stumbled into a small artist’s studio just down the street for the draw bridge. There, by chance, we met Russ Kramer who we found to be a very outgoing person. He introduced us to some of his paintings and explained how he accomplished his work. I don’t believe that I have ever seen the ocean, the racing yachts and the people of the time depicted in a more realistic manner. Kramer is not only an artist, but he is a genius with brushes and paint. If you ever get the chance to be in Mystic be sure to visit him and his studio. Its right down the street from “Mystic Pizza.”
Michael Arford, Photographic Designer
Michael Arford Photography