* Captain Roger Horton *

Captain Roger C. Horton was born in Toledo Ohio in 1942.  His family moved to southern Florida after WWII and he grew up in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area.  He was a sea struck kid, always near the water and he became an avid sailor.  At the age of eleven his interest in art showed potential and his parents arranged lessons with a Mr. Patterson, a marine artist working in Hollywood Florida.  During a summer visit to New York, his great Aunt arranged for him to receive several private lessons with an old friend, Marine artist Mr. Fisher.  At thirteen he because a member of the Broward Art Guild.  His work was represented by a Las Olas Blvd Gallery, and entered SE Florida shows.

Drawn to the sea as always, he began sailing professionally aboard commercial vessels.  He served aboard or commanded Army vessels, tugs, and small ships during the Vietnam War, and on discharge sailed Merchant ships holding a USMM certificate, Master of Ocean Unlimited.  During his life-long career at sea, he continued his dual career as an artist.

In 1982, he was contracted by Kaiser Porcelain to provide art on marine themes to include a series of Collector Plates.  During this period, he was also one of the early members of The American Society of Marine Artists, an (Artist Member) which is currently called a (Signature Member), and had two paintings in the first show for living artists at Virginia's Maritime Museum, as well as other national shows.

At that time his work was represented by Galleries along the Atlantic seaboard, and Gulf Coast.  Establishments such as Arnold's in Newport Rhode Island, Mystic Seaport, Greenwich Workshop, Annapolis Marine Gallery, Delaines of Lauderdale, Howland's of Galveston, and others.  He also taught art occasionally, private groups, and two semesters at Lamar, while living in SE Texas.

After the death of his wife in 1989, he withdrew his work from galleries.  He continued to paint but worked primarily on commission, and has done occasional work illustrating. Many pieces were donated or done to support maritime groups or organizations.  The last major project, a painting done at the request of Seafarers International, to memorialize the crew of the El Faro, a ship which went down with all hands East of the Bahamas.  Now, retired from the maritime industry, he has over 60 completed canvases.

Captain Horton has taken ships to the world's ports for fifty years, and is passionate about being at sea under sail.  This is reflected in the scope and variety of his subjects, both as a marine artist, novelist, and illustrator.  Rather than compete with a camera, his purpose is to create a moment on canvas that evokes an emotion, an understanding of the sea.  He currently resides and paints in N. Ft. Myers, Florida, and at sea -- where ever there's water to sail his boats.