Thomas Wells (1916-2004).

Mr Wells was born in Illinois in 1916. His early love for the sea started in the 1930's, and became a lifetime passion, especially with his personal experience sailing on and painting square riggers. He sailed square riggers to Greenland, Nova Scotia, Gloucester, Cape Horn and Australia among many other places. He was a quarter master and diver in World War Two. He was a lifetime member of many Maritime historical societies from Washington State to California, New York, Cape Horn etc. He was a graduate (BFA) from Yale University. He settled in the Pacific Northwest and worked at the University of Washington.

Wells' close affinity and unique sea experience clearly enhanced his art. He is best known for his realistic, oil renditions of "Tall Ships" and other sailing vessels. An award is given on a regular basis at the Mystic Seaport Museum in his memory. He exhibited at the Frye Art Museum in Seattle among many others and is in the permanent collection of the Seattle Art Museum. He was the past president of the Puget Sound group of Northwest Artists, life member of the Alands Sjofarts Museum and a member of the American Society of Marine Artists.

Submitted by Robert Savage, private collector