Ferndale artist brings Blaine maritime history to life

Ferndale resident James Williamson didn’t intend to be an artist, but he’s made a name for himself with maritime art for the last 50 years.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Williamson, 71, made his way to the Pacific Northwest when he joined the U.S. Air Force and would stop at Whidbey Island. After he finished his service, he studied fine art and graphic art at Northern Michigan University and Western Washington
University.

“It just happened,” Williamson said of his career in maritime art. “A lot of life depends on this mysterious finger of fate that moves you around. Even though I was in the air force, most places I was stationed were near the water, like Cape Cod. I just had this inclination to paint ships.”

Williamson found an audience for his art in Whatcom County, where he said people were interested in maritime and the history behind it. He began creating art of notable vessels like the replica Lady Washington tall ship, which Williamson first painted in 1990.

In 1989, the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport commissioned Lady Washington to be built as a replica of the original 18th century ship in Aberdeen, according to the seaport’s website. Williamson first saw Lady Washington in Aberdeen and has since recreated the ship six times, which sails along the Pacific coast and visits Blaine most summers.

In addition to historical vessels, Williamson also paints Pacific Northwest landscapes, wildlife and commissioned pieces of industrial vessels like oil tankers. The old Semiahmoo Harbor Lighthouse, Alaska Packers Association cannery and vessels docked at Blaine Harbor are a few local features Williamson has painted.

Williamson works in multiple mediums, from pencils and ink to watercolor and oil paints. Because each medium is so different, which medium he uses depends on a number of factors.

“It depends on what I eat the day before or whatever’s going on in my mind,” Williamson said. “It depends on the subject.”

Certain subjects look better in different mediums, Williamson explained. Herons, for example, which he plans to paint next, look good in watercolor, so he’ll paint them with watercolor paints. An artwork’s dimensions are also a factor. Williamson will often paint commissioned pieces of oil tankers and tugboats in watercolor, which requires a 22-by-30-inch paper.

Larger paintings, like the historical ships Williamson paints, are often done with oil paints because they can expand to a larger size, he said, though some of his maritime history paintings are watercolors.

Many of Williamson’s paintings are an exercise in patience, depending on the complexity and size. His commissioned work also entails research and sketches before painting.

“The whole time for a painting, where the paper is 22 by 30 inches, takes about three weeks. It’s complex,” Williamson said. “Doing a painting of a heron could take a couple days.”

Williamson creates the majority of his work in his home studio in Ferndale, where he paints his industrial ships and wildlife alike. 

“It’s amazing to see the delicacy of wildlife and the landscape and the overwhelming power of industry these days,” Williamson said. “The ships are so huge. You can go down to Bellingham right now, look out on the bay, and there are container vessels sitting there. They’re very big.”

Williamson’s art is displayed and sold at the Semiahmoo Marina general store. His work can be viewed and purchased online at bit.ly/37CCvWV.