Harbor with Fishermen by Joseph Ferrara

This is a watercolor and gouache by Connecticut artist Joseph Ferrara. I've titled it Harbor with Fishermen. While a representational image, it's done is a loose free hand style that is very modern. The artist uses bold black diagonals of booms used to support nets that direct the eye to the curved arches of a bridge or pier lined with people fishing. The next layer shows more people watching the fishermen from a wall backed by a very impressionist landscape with bold black outlines highlighted by blue, green, and white. A few birds are flying over. It's a bold and original composition that is very consistent with the artist's style. It is signed and dated in ink lower right Ferrara '56. The artist, Joseph Ferrara was born in 1931 in Connecticut and studied art at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. He returned to Connecticut and worked as an artist and illustrator. He was quite prolific and was known for his wildlife and Southwestern scenes, although his subject matter is quite broad. There are a number of examples of work depicting harbors and seascapes. He became very well known in the 1960s for a series of calendars created for the Winchester Arms company. The piece is framed and has not been examined out of the frame. The visible image size is 19 x 15 inches. the frame is 27 1/2 x 23 inches. The framing materials are not archival. The piece is in excellent condition. While the overall scene is dark, the colors used for highlighting are bright and not faded. There are no stains, foxing, tears, or paper loss. A fantastic work by this mid-century artist.