Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Charles "Fran" Kenney descends from a long line of downeast seafarers, ship masters, owners and builders. Beginning his art studies at an early age, he studied oil painting with well known Rockport, Massachusetts artist Margaret Fizhue Brown. With encouragement from his father, he focused his talents almost entirely on marine art.

After service with the United States Coast Guard in World War II, Kenney studied art in Boston, leading to a successful career as a commercial artist. Known for his realistic interpretation and thorough research of ships and seas led Kenney's paintings to be displayed in leading art galleries and museums throughout the country.

Among Kenney's many commission...