Sarasota Ringling Student, Robert E. Spring (1938-2016) American, Maritime Oil on Canvas. Depicts two frigates, one American, one uncertain, firing at each other in mid-seas combat, with spouts of water and fire billowing from the furthest ship. Signed "R.E.S." bottom left. Framed.

Condition: Loose in frame. 

Overall: 11 x 15 in. 

Sight: 10 x 14 in. 

#3496 . 

Robert E. “Bob” Spring was born in Racine, Wisconsin on September 29th, 1938. His family moved to Sarasota, Florida when he was eight, where he was exposed to the artistic community. In 1956 he won two national arts scholarships and chose to attend the Ringling School of Art, focusing on sculpture and carving. His scrimshaw work in particular garnered international recognition before he even graduated. In the early 1970s his interests turned to military modeling and dioramas, and he married for the first time, although his wife died in the late 70s from cancer. In the early 1980s he moved to New England, traveling along the coast and eventually settling in Thomaston, a small coastal village adjacent to Rockland, Maine. His experiences there shifted his focus once again, this time to maritime art, painting watercolors that won many local awards and became part of permanent collections of the Mystic Maritime Gallery in Connecticut and the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland. In 1988 he married fellow artist Isyla Lee whom he met at an exhibition, and she encouraged him to explore oils as well. At the Warwick, Rhode Island Art Museum Open Show in 1996 he won both oil and watercolor divisions with his paintings, and became a staple among the New England artist scene, often buying, selling, and trading paintings with other artists and collectors to support each other. He taught at his home very briefly towards the end of his life as painting and sculpting became too difficult, mainly helping artists define military scenes and naval ship characteristics. He and Lee had no children, and he passed away after a brief illness on January 23rd, 2016, leaving behind a legacy of numerous arts and crafts in a host of mediums.

Loose in frame. Spots along the top.