macleanstory - Jay Maclean Watercolor Paintings

Tropical marine fish, underwater scenes , fishing boats and mostly related scenes

This lionfish is Jay's largest water color, (22" x 24" 1999). A study for a larger oil painting.

The blennie (above left) belongs to Kasu and Mrs sakai, Manila; the titan triggerfish (above right) is owned by Dr Garry Russ, Townsville, Australia (both 1999, 15" x 20 ")

Giant clams were another fascination--Jay did a blue one (1997,20" x 14") and a green (1999, 16" x 12"); the color patterns are endless.

Jay made efforts from time to time to capture the unique aura (for want of a better word) of Philippine fishng boats (bancas)

Banca on rocks is owned by Peter and Chan Carroll, Sydney, Australia (1998, 16" x 10"). Below are more fanciful renditions. Left is banca series 1999 #3 (16" x 12") and on the right, small blue banca (2002, 12" x 12 ").

In November 1997, Jay's working trip to Italy included time to sketch local scenes. He did the color work in the evenings in his small subterranean studio apartment. All are 16" x 12". The scenes are a cupola in Rome (top), landscape over Orvietto (middle) and view from a Rome hotel (bottom).

Jay began water color painting at the Artists Forum, Makati, Philippines, with guidance from his teacher, Beth Morris, in the early 1990s. He was invited to exhibit at the Paper Moon Restaurant (now Le Souffle) in Manila in 1998 and worked on small water colors to have enough pieces in time for the exhibition. This gave him enough confidence to produce more over subsequent years. Some already have other owners; others are available.

First of the "Looking Up" series, all 12" x 16" views that a fish might see. More below. All done in 1999.

This one owned by Bill and Tess Staub, Manila, Philippines

The above scene is owned by Tito and Imma Cordero, Calamba, Philippines

There was a "Looking Down" series also, same size, 1999. The above belongs to Ms Ginger Oma, California, USA

Sometimes Jay looked above water. Below is the Hammett's hut in the Seafari resort compound, where the Macleans had a beach hut for a decade (1986-1996), and below that is Jay's windsurfing gear. (Both 14" x 10", 1994)

One of the few nudes attempted by Jay--from his imagination only (1999, 12" x 15")