Tilghman Hemsley is a Maryland artist who has been painting and sculpting professionally for over 30 years.  He graduated from Maryland College of Art in 1983.  His paintings of life on the Chesapeake Bay are popular among collectors, and his largest sculptural work, the Maryland Waterman's Monument is located at historic Kent Narrows on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.  In addition to his art career, Tilghman is the Captain of a charter fishing boat, Breezin’ Thru.  HIs experiences growing up and working on the Chesapeake Bay inform his work, and have provided him with an intimate understanding of the subjects he chooses to paint and sculpt.  

Fishing and Fine Arts

The two are certainly not mutually exclusive. In fact, the captain of the Breezin’ Through often brings his sketch pad and easel aboard the Breezin’ Thru to capture portraits of his guests. His oil on canvas immortalizing the rescue of the grounded Ever Forward freighter sold immediately from a gallery showing on Gibson Island. Tilghman Hemsley possesses the artistic capacity to see the profound in the everyday — fishing and hunting on the Chesapeake Bay. He finds his inspiration in the graceful lines of the historic Chesapeake deadrise he captains, the sunlight illuminating the early morning horizon, the reflection of sky in water, the wings of canvasbacks and swans, and the sense of place he communicates in his landscapes. His artistic vision is as immense as the great outdoors.