Whirlwind Study 8.5x15

Ive also made good progress on my study of Francis Herreshoffs J boat Whirlwind designed and built for the 1930 America’s Cup. next week I plan on working on details, sails and rigging.

J Class Project update

A busy week working on various colour 8x12 colour studies for possible paintings to be included in the book. Three of these were worked up for a client, These studies include Enterprise vs Weetamoe; Enterpris vs Resolute and the start of race 3 on Long Island sound june 1930

J Class Project update.

History of the j class project

Finally making a start on my next project which is to tell the history of the j class through a series of paintings. I’ve decided to start from the very beginning and the meeting between The 1920 Americas Cup winner Resolute now converted to the Bermudan rig and the brand new J Class yacht Enterprise one of 4 new boats built to defend the America’s Cup against Sir Thomas Lipton’s Shamrock V. This first meeting was looked upon with great interests many believed the new heavier j class with their reduced sail area would not be able to hold their own against the older lighter boat.

As this initial meeting proved on May 10th 1930 the new boat was a great improvement on the old boat. 

As is the case with most of my work I follow the race with small models positioning the sun in the exact position for the time of day. This allows me to look for interesting angles and compositions, I’ve attached a few of my initial sketches. 

Built to Win Eastern Yacht Club

What an incredible time I had at Marblehead presenting “Built to Win” the story of the incredible partnership between Nat Herreshoff and Charlie Barr at the Eastern Yacht Club with Charlie Barr descendent Alasdair Purves. The welcome we received at the Eastern Yacht Club was just remarkable 

Herreshoff Model Room

One of the highlights of my recent trip was being invited to tour the model room at the Herreshoff Museum. This room contains Al of Nat Herreshoffs original half models carved by his own hand. As an engineer it was a privilege to see the equipment capt Nat used to take off the measurements from which his great yachts where built. I was particularly overwhelmed being able to get so close to the original half models carved by of Reliance. This is one of those experiences I’ll never forget. I must say a very special thanks to Bill Lynn who opened the doors for me and for giving me such special access. @shanecouchmarineartist @herreshoff @captcharliebarr @thomsenfineart #captnatherreshoff 

Built to Win

BUILT TO WIN

Herreshoff Museum Bristol Rhode Island

July 18th 2026

What an incredible night we had at the Herreshoff museum last night telling the incredible story of the partnership of Nat Herreshoff and Charlie Barr. It was such an incredible honour to be showing my work at the very place many of the yachts that so inspire me where built. It was particularly special to have Americas cup legend Halsey Herreshoff the grandson of Capt Nat present at our talk in addition to sailing icon Patsy Kennedy Bolling. It’s a night I’ll never forget. A special thanks to the Herreshoff Museum for making us so welcome, Colin Thomsen for his incredible hard work in making it happen and my co speaker Alasdair Purves the great great grandson of Charlie Barr. I’ll be posting more photos over the coming days @shanecouchmarineartist @thomsenfineart @herreshoff @captcharliebarr

Birth of the J Class

Whirlwind wins the start is the first in a series of paintings that will tell the story of the J class in their first year of 1930.

The painting will be available via Cavalier Galleries

The painting depicts the start of the second race on Long Island sound of the J Class. June 12th 1930. The race included 3 of the 4 new J class yachts built to defend the 1930 America’s Cup against Sir Thomas Liptons 5th challenger Shamrock V.

Whirlwind makes the best start giving Enterprise some dirty air whilst Weetamoe heels to the breeze down to Leeward. The two older boats Vanitie and Resolute tack after the start in search of a better breeze over on the Long Island shore.

Shortly after the start Enterprise makes a quick tack to clear her air before coming back on Whirlwinds weather qtr. With clean air and pointing higher than Whirlwind she gains the lead which she holds around the course closely pressed by Weetamoe.

Modern Marine Masters

I’m so proud to see my painting Ingomar leads the fleet advertising the current ASMA show of Modern Marine Masters at Cavalier Gallery New York. To see these images of my work is a very special moment in my career.

Working from Models

Ever since I was a boy watching my Dad building models of sailing ships, battleships and Aircraft Carriers I have found them a great help and inspiration. I work a lot from models either those I have seen in collections I have visited around the world or those I build myself. They provide both inspiration and an incredible amount of information and reference to work from. @shanecouchmarineartist #herreshoffmarinemuseum #yachtmodels #marinepainting #classicyachts #americascup

William Fife's Minerva 1888

Minerva study

Normally the ideas for a painting begin with me working from race reports or yacht plans. In the case of yacht plans, I draw my chosen vessel from various angles so I get to understand her shape and form completely. Its during this part of the process that I begin to get excited about how and from angle I would like to portray her. These sketches are a little like the preliminary sittings a portrait artist will do with his sitter before going on to the actual painting itself.

One of the paintings planned for my upcoming show will be a small study for a future larger painting depicting Minerva. Built by William Fife in 1888 Minerva was set to change the history and future development of yachting and launch the careers of the relatively unknown skipper Charlie Barr who had brought the Scottish cutter across the Atlantic to America and the yacht designer Nat Herreshoff. It was Herreshoff who after Minerva’s domination of the 40 foot class in 1889 answered the call for “ Anything to beat Minerva” with his famed 46 footer Gloriana.

Meeting a Legend

When I completed my painting depicting the Herreshoff schooners Elena, Eleanora and Mariette racing off Palma in 2016 that one day I would visit the paintings owners house and meet  Halsey Herreshoff the legendary Americas Cup veteran and grandson of the famous Wizard of Bristol Nat Herreshoff. It was a day I’ll never forget and one I could never had envisioned when I stood  in front of the freshly completed painting in my studio.

Behind the scenes

A little behind the scenes look at some of the crazy things that go into creating a painting. The cameo scene is Mrs Hope Iselin wife of Oliver Iselin the syndicate leader of Reliance in the 1903 America’s Cup. Mrs Iselin was a pioneering photographer and was actually on board Reliance with her box brownie during the races for the 1903 America’s Cup. I’ve depicting her looking back at Charlie Barr as Reliance approaches the windward mark. To set the scene up I specially commissioned the costumes and built a mock up deck in my back garden. My partner Caroline posed for Mrs Iselin. We had a lot of fun getting into character for the shoot. 

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MARINE ARTISTS SHOW 2025

American Society of Marine Artists Show 2025

As I gear up for my show @thomsenfineart in March I look back at the remarkable time I had last year when the gallery hosted the American Society of Marine Artists @asma_americanmarineartists . It was a remarkable event where I got to meet many of my painting hero’s like ASMA president Patrick o Brian, Sergio Roffo, Bill Farnsworth, Len Mizerek, Michael B Karas and Debbie Daniels to name but a few. The night of the show was capped of with a great dinner together.

A Fresh Start for the New Year

2026 is here!  10 weeks to show date last canvas on the easel and it’s a big one. This will go to the wire. Here we go.💪🏼 @shanecouchmarineartist @thomsenfineart #showtime #letitgo

Ingomar off Greenwich Point 1907

In this new painting I’ve depicted Herreshoffs first purposely designed schooner Ingomar racing the schooner Elmina off Greenwich Point 1907 . This in the next instalment of my ongoing Charlie Barr Project .

Ingomar off Great Greenwich Point 1907

Marblehead visit

A remarkable  day at Marblehead, home to the Eastern Yacht Club. During its history the Eastern Yacht Club has played host to some iconic regattas and has played host to the New York Yacht Clubs annual Cruise on many occasions. It was here that the  5  great J Class yachts Ranger, Rainbow, Yankee, Endeavour 11 and Endeavour 1 had their last race in 1937.  It was such a special moment to be at this venue and imagine all the history unfolding around me. 

Cape Cod Research Trip 2025

Reflecting on an incredible research trip on Cape Code and Rhode Island with Colin Thomsen of Palm Ave Fine Art. During the trip we visited many of the iconic locations from Yachtings Golden Age such as Marblehead, Buzzards Bay, Newport and Bristol to name but a few. I owe a great debt of thanks to Colin who made this trip the great success it was. 

Palm Beach Show

I’m really proud to have two of my paintings exhibited with the Cavalier Galleries at this years Palm Beach show. The show which runs from February 13th to 18th is known as the most luxurious and sophisticated showcase of its kind in the United States. The event hosts the most sought after dealers in the world exhibiting important art, antiques and jewellery.

J Class Ranger Update

Progress update on a small study of the J Class Ranger at Palma 2014 oil on panel 8.5x15 inches

This week Ive got a third coat on my Ranger painting, The deck will get one more modelling coat before the final tints are applied. I’ll also start building up the sails, sea and sky.

Colonia Update

First coat on my Colonia deck study. Oil on panel 12x24

The schooner Colonia

The first part of the week was spent comparing my original 3d model with the model in the Herreshoff Museum and photographs in the Library of Congress. Various differences where noticed so my model was altered to reflect these differences. Once I was happy I began the deck study. The study has had an initial coat to establish the details and now these details will be refined over the coming weeks