Annapolis Maritime Museum presents “Two Cruise,” an exhibit of maritime paintings and illustrations by Christine and David O’Neill. Their work has been inspired by cruising the East Coast and the Bahamas aboard their 45-foot catamaran sailboat. An artist’s reception will be held Friday, July 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. All artwork is for sale and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Museum’s education programs. This show will not only be an exhibit of artwork, but also a teaching experience where the viewer will be able to learn about the subject of each piece and how it was interpreted.
Christine and David O’Neill are artists and sailors whose home is Felix the Cat, a 45-foot Prout Sailing Catamaran. Dave is captain and Christine is the hostess when they do private charters in the Bay and the Bahamas. For most of their married lives, they have lived in the Annapolis area. They have traveled extensively through out the Caribbean, South America and the U.S. Much of their art has been inspired by the places they’ve visited.
In the early 90s, Christine was awarded a one-year painting sabbatical. During this time Dave, Chris and their son traveled on a boat from the Chesapeake to Venezuela, painting all the way. Both Christine and David earned BFA’s from Maryland Institute College of Art. Chris earned her second master’s degree.
Christine has taught art for many years in public schools and currently teaches private and small group painting lessons to adults at Anne Arundel Community College, Maryland Hall for Creative Arts and Kent Island Federation of Art. She is a Signature member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society, a member of the Annapolis Watercolor Club, the National Watercolor Society and Pen Women of America.
David has worked in the design field, designing and creating the interiors of private homes, hotels, and restaurants such as the Severn Inn and the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club. He has also worked in the graphic arts field.
Currently both are spending their time doing three things they both enjoy: artwork, chartering/hosting events on their boat, and sailing.
“Christine’s paintings are joyful and full of color and movement,” explains the Museum’s volunteer art exhibit coordinator, Les Foster. “Color, composition and movement are foremost in her mind when creating a new painting. David has a background in graphics and design. It’s obvious from looking at his work that patterns, repetition and arrangement of space are the elements that make his work so strong. Both artists enjoy the play of sun and shadow, yet both render the same views and subjects so differently.”
To see more of Christine’s work go to www.christineoneillartist.com. To learn more about their charter business you can visit www.felixcharter.com
The exhibit is free and open to the public each Thursday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. See www.amaritime.org for a complete schedule, directions and parking information.