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Donald Demers was born in 1956 in the small rural community of Lunenburg,
Massachusetts. His interest in painting maritime subjects began while spending
his summers on the coast of Maine near Boothbay Harbor. Crewing aboard
schooners, square-riggers and other traditional craft have provided both the
foundation for his technical expertise and the vision to transfer his first-
hand experience to the canvas. His love of sailing has not diminished over the
years.
Don acknowledges his high school art teacher as the most formative
influence in his early training. He continued his education at the School of
the Worcester (MA) Art Museum and Massachusetts College of Art in Boston.
His professional career began as an illustrator and soon expanded into the
field of marine painting. A move to Maine in 1984 marked a shift in his career
in which illustration yielded to marine and landscape painting. Illustration
serves as a diversion from the demands of fine art and over the years,
Reader’s Digest, Sail Magazine, Field & Stream, Sports Afield, Yankee,
Downeast and most recently, the prestigious National Geographic magazines, in
addition to several book publishers, have called on Don to create visual
illumination for the written word.
Don’s diversity has enabled him to offer his expertise to clients ranging from
American Airlines to the National Park Service, with projects as varied as
creating art for national television advertisements and designing art glass
for Steuben.
Demers’ body of work has expanded over the last several years to
include the study and creation of both plein air and studio landscape
paintings based on 19th century methods and philosophies. His landscape
paintings have been widely acclaimed and honored throughout the country.
Created in consort with painters of similar inspiration, it has been widely
acclaimed and honored throughout the country.
He is a Fellow of the American Society of Marine Artists, won a record number
(11) awards at the Mystic International Marine Exhibition, Mystic, CT and at
the Laguna Plein Air Invitational, Don has won two awards. His illustrations
have been recognized four times by the Museum of American Illustration in
their national competition as representing the finest examples of work in the
field. A master of communication about his art form, Mr. Demers conducts
workshops for artists and lectures on his art and maritime experiences, both
here and abroad. Don has been featured in American Artist magazine, Artist
magazine and Plein Air Magazine. His audiences include museums, art clubs and
associations, yacht clubs, historical societies and educational institutions.
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