As a boy growing up in New York City our family owned one original oil painting. I recall staring at that canvas and even more, running my hand over its surface -amazed that color was captured in the thickness and layers of the paint. The concept that color could have dimension never left me. A painting seemed to hold a special power that connected with the viewer like nothing else.
For years I believed artists were somehow "gifted". One day at 19, I bought my first art set to explore if there was an such gift in me. I found no gift, only passion that never cooled. I guess my gift is always striving for improvement, learning from mistakes and being confident that given enough effort you can achieve any goal. So,I attacked art with brute force, read all the art books on the shelves ,Leonardo's notebooks,techniques from all the old masters and more. I studied their techniques tirelessly and tried to make them my own.
I still fall in love with each new painting I start and the emotion they can conjur. I have focused on the sea for over two decades and now the last 6 years I have been doing portraits from the Renaissance. Often I will create hybrid works combining classic portraits with ocean backdrops! I
In so many ways ,Im still the little boy looking at the first oil painting with feelings of wonder!
I hope you enjoy browsing through my gallery. Please contact me if you would like to see additional pieces or discuss a specific commission.

Joe Porus
Lost At Sea Gallery
Lost.atSea@live.com...