In 1980 I sailed on my first skipjack in order to see first hand how these graceful, old vessels caught oysters on the Chesapeake Bay. My first day of oystering was aboard Elsworth, built in 1901, with Captain Darryl Larrimore. At that time there were about three dozen of these boats dredging for oysters in the Maryland waters of the bay. Today only a few remain.

In the painting we see Elsworth [dredge # 22] tied up at Harrison’s oyster house at Knapps Narrows on Tilghman Island, Maryland. She has caught a load of oysters on the nearby Choptank River and now her crew is unloading the day’s catch. Other workboats fill the harbor.

I was compelled to create this painting to record those early days , over 30 years ago, when I frequented the island, sailed on many of the skipjacks and painted these graceful old vessels at work. This is a major painting which was based on “Offloading the Catch” a study of the same scene which recently sold.

As with all originals purchased directly from me, this piece come with a handsome “House of Troy” painting light attached [ $115 value] at no additional charge.

2011 Oil on Linen 17″ x 32″. Framed 24″ x 39″.       $ 24,500