Welcome to the official site of marine artist Philip S Steel, offering prints, limited edition, signed prints, and Giclee prints. Philip S. Steel is a signature member of the American Society of Marine Artists. (A.S.M.A)

Many times I meet people either in my classes, workshops, or at the shows, who ask me why I like to paint people, boats, shore and sea scenes.

I think my first love affair with the sea began when I was 10, at summer camp on The Chesapeake Bay. The camp owned 7 small dories and made them available to us young campers. Early one morning the waterfront instructor arranged a day trip across the bay. With a crew of 2, our little fleet set off with a good breeze and clear skies. By noon a horrific storm came up the bay. A number of us were frightened out of our wits as the storm plummeted our little dories. Luckily, we all survived. But for me it was an unforgettable exhilarating experience, the beginning of a lifetime love of the sea's power, a boat's ability, and the visible reaction of people on and about the waterways of the world.

Another question often asked is "why I paint". I think the desire to paint is in my genes. My parents and grandparents were artists and musicians. When I was a boy, I couldn't stop drawing and sketching...and I've never stopped.

Teaching I find particularly rewardng when a student finds his/her work suddenly improving. There is nothing more exciting then when their peers begin to admire their work after dedicated hours of practice and study.

I've inherited the wanderlust from my maternal grandfather. And so either through sailing on my own boat in Maine, the Caribbean Basin, or flying to a foreign county, I am always energized when visiting new ports, countries, or rugged and sandy shorelines.

Thank-you for visiting this web site...

Review of the performance of "Net Loss", Apalachicola, Florida by Ms. Dixie Partington, Executive Director, Dixie Theater:

"What a treat, this program of "Net Loss"!
I have seen many great works of Art in my life, here in this country as well as Europe and Britain; Phil Steel is an incredible talent. He has truly captured the essence of life in the fishing world; you could almost smell the salt air as you took in his paintings. I wanted to have each of them for myself. It won't be long before he rockets to stardom. . . ."

NET LOSS REVIEW by Edgar Straeffer, Chairman, Cultural Affairs Council, St. Lucie Co. Fl.

"When the house lights go down in the Black box Theater, on Indian River community College's Fort Pierce campus, Philip Steel's paintings jump to life. Twelve paintings portraying fishermen and their work are the set for a one character performance about the powerful effects the net ban caused on Florida's commercial fishermen and their families. . . .

Rarely does the set of a play express the situations and emotions of a script. Steel's large paintings show fishermen in their every day work environment, one painting at a time. An intimate bar scene of fishermen swapping stories on a bad weather day seems to give way to a large, stormy seascape, with a lone commercial fishing boat slicing through the seas. Each painting could stand alone for its vibrant composition and affectionate subject matter. Together they offer vista of the robust routine of making a living from the coastal and offshore waters that make Florida a peninsula. . ."

AUDIENCE COMMENTS "NET LOSS" PERFORMANCE
Black Box Theater, Fort Pierce, Florida -

"This really enlightened me to the conditions of the commercial fisherman, and what a rich part of the local history they are. Very well acted, and the art truly enhanced the performance. I wish it would have given us a clue as to what the average person could do to help."

Barbara O. Peterson
"The play, the art and the audience participation were a perfect mix to spark the awareness of a very important subject."
The Hannahs

"I wonderfully fresh look at an old problem through new glasses. I love the multi-media approach and the intimacy of the theater. I think the strength comes from the really personal approach, the props and the problem are no longer remote -- they are real people."

Rhoda B. Ward
"Thank you. We need more quality performances that make our community members think about changes that hurt our natural resources and the people who live in Florida. Wonderful program. Excellent educational opportunity."
Tom Hoeffner

"So happy we had the opportunity to witness this fabulous performance. Outstanding art, music and historical overview. Thank you. Excellent!! Hopefully many individuals will be exposed to this program. Raising awareness to the fisherman's struggle is the beginning of change for the better."

Barbara Hoeffner

IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT.... Jack Connolly, V.P., Vero Beach Opera Guild, Fort Pierce, FL

"Net Loss" is a dramatic production that debates different perspectives of commercial fishing. This amazing program has captured the imagination, eyes, mind and critical discussion of its viewers. This pictorial essay brings together a playwright, an artist, an actor and the audience. It explores the feelings of a seventh generation Florida commercial fishing family as it examines the dilemma of survival. You will travel on their fishing boats, listen to their comments, and experience a sociological and historical statement being made. . The tour includes 12 original oil paintings by artist Phil Steel, a dramatization of a fictitious fishing history by playwright Evelyn Mayerson, and is brought together on stage by 30 year veteran actor Joel Kolker. . . . "