Statement from Dutch Mostert

As an artist who has been closely involved in the start-up and first ten years of its existence, it is especially gratifying to me to be chosen as the featured artist for the Coos Art Museum 14th Annual Maritime Art Exhibit.

From its inception, our goal was to present the best possible quality marine art exhibit on the west coast, and after 14 years of very successful shows, it is regarded as just that by many artists in this field. Joining such luminaries as John Stobart, Thomas Wells and David Thimgan, it is truly an honor for me to have a small part in this year’s exhibit.

As a member of a 5 person jury, I was overwhelmed by the number and quality of the entries. It makes for a good quality show, but makes the jurying process much more difficult and time consuming.

As Featured Artist, one of the privileges is choosing the “Best of Show” award. In prior years, I’ve had the luxury of being able to have several favorites. Not so this year. It took 4 days (and nights!) to finally decide on Jim Griffith’s “Coming Home”, a jewel-
like small painting of a square rigged vessel, done in gouache. It is an excellent example of his obvious mastery of the medium, having incredible detail yet no trace of being stiff or overworked. Of the multiple candidates qualifying for the award, I felt that in addition to it being a superb work of art, it also best represented the more traditional maritime art flavor that has been so evident in this and previous exhibits.

My congratulations to the museum for another excellent show and my thanks for having been chosen to be part of it. I look forward to being involved with this exhibit for many more years.

Dutch Mostert

For more information on CAM, email info@coosart.org.