John Stephen Dews

(British, b.1949)

Maritime artist John Stephen Dews was born in Yorkshire, England in 1949. Dews trained as an engineering illustrator at the Hull Regional College of Art.

His first exhibit after graduation in 1976 was a resounding success, featuring a sold out collection the first night. Dews’ next exhibit in San Francisco also sold out completely. He continues to exhibit in London and in galleries around the world.

As one of the most successful maritime artists living today, Dews’ work depicts meticulous detail and natural surroundings, clearly reflecting his personal love of sailing. The highly experienced yachtsman inherited his passion for ships and the sea from his harbor master grandfather. Dews’ paintings are prized among collectors. He is the official artist of several significant yachting events, and he has received commissions from private marine art collectors and major corporations around the world. Notable commissions include the Australian Bicentennial Celebrations by the Marine Board of New South Wales, the New York Yacht Club’s 150th Birthday Regatta, and the Royal Yacht Club. Commissions are currently scheduled several years out.

Dews’ stunning painting titled The Battle of Trafalgar reached a world record price at auction in 2005. The original painting is one of the largest the artist has ever created, and took seven years to complete.

The artist divides his time between his homes in Australia and England’s southern coast. “I sail so that I can paint and I paint so that I can sail,” Dews says. “They feed each other both literally and emotionally.”