Some boats become part of the family.

That’s a good conversation to have before we begin. Some boats want the dignity and precision of a Traditional portrait. Others carry a story that’s better told through feeling and memory. We can look at reference together and figure out which approach actually fits the boat and what it means to you.

I can arrange professional framing when the piece is complete, or ship the work unframed if you prefer to handle that locally. Shipping is fully insured and I’ll walk you through the options. If the portrait is heading somewhere specific (a marina office, a home on the water, a yacht club), we can plan for that from the start.

Absolutely. Some of the most meaningful pieces come from boats that are long gone or from seasons that mattered. Old photos, half-remembered details, even just the feeling of a certain boat at a certain time — that’s the raw material for a Savage portrait especially. The past is welcome here.

Pricing depends on size, style, and complexity. Traditional portraits start in the & Savage portraits are in a similar range but can vary more depending on how much reference material exists. The best way to get an accurate number is to reach out with the boat and the size you’re thinking about — I’ll give you a straight quote with no runaround.

Traditional portraits are built for accuracy and timeless detail — the boat as she actually is (or was). Savage portraits are more emotional and interpretive. They’re painted from memory, feeling, and the stories that stuck with you rather than a strict photographic reference. Both are valid. One just speaks a different language.

Yes. You’ll see the work at key stages — usually a loose compositional sketch or value study first, then a more developed version where we can adjust direction, mood, or details. For Traditional portraits we also do a tighter drawing study before moving to paint. Revisions are part of the process, not an afterthought.

The best starting point is a handful of clear photos of the boat (different angles are helpful) plus any stories, memories, or details you want included. For Savage portraits we lean more on feeling and memory than perfect reference, so even a few old snapshots or a strong description can be enough. We’ll talk through everything on the front end.

Most Traditional portraits take 1-2 weeks from the time we begin until the finished piece is in your hands. Savage portraits, being more interpretive, usually land in the 1-3 week range. These timelines include the back-and-forth on references and any revisions. If you’re working toward a specific date (anniversary, holiday, launch, etc.), just let me know up front and I’ll tell you what’s realistic.