Anthony Davis was born on Long Island, coincidentally, not far from the ocean. He remained close to the water while growing up and later in life developed an affection for sailing and the sea. Initially though, his path in life led him to the healing arts, and it wasn’t until after becoming well established as a physical therapist that his interest in painting began. Conscious of a talent that had been present all along, Anthony began creatively expressing himself, using various media, with subject matter that reflected his surroundings, his passions and his inner most beliefs/feelings. In time, he discovered that pastel was his preferred medium. Foregoing a formal education in the arts, he decided to, and continues to “paint” his way through a self-teaching philosophy.

A desire to pursue marine subject matter led him to a membership in the American Society of Marine Artists where he has recently attained Signature status. One of his most recent paintings, November Wind, was chosen to be in the Society’s 14th National Exhibition which traveled to 5 museums over a period of 16 months. He has also recently been elected Artist Member of The Salmagundi Club, where he was asked to perform a seascape demo earlier in 2009. Mystic Seaport has honored him by selecting his seascape paintings for the last three consecutive Annual International Marine Art Exhibitions as well as their Modern Marine Masters Exhibition which both attract the world’s most renowned marine artists.

Anthony’s seascapes have won numerous awards and his work can be found in local collections as well as across the country and in Europe He has also recently taken up plein air painting with oil and can be found painting local and regional scenery. His passion for plein air painting has led him and other local artists in creating The Long Island Plein Air Painters Society and he is also responsible for creating Northport’s First Plein Air Event. Today, in addition to painting local scenery, Anthony continues with his first love, representing the ocean and Maritime scenery in a realistic fashion through the use of pastel and oil. He is represented by Christopher Gallery in Stony Brook, N.Y., The Maritime Art Gallery at Mystic Seaport, Connecticut, and The Salmagundi Club in Manhattan.

There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is; nor how valuable it is; nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate YOU. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.