About The Artist
Cape Cod Artist Julia O'Malley-Keyes
Figurative painting is the genre that this artist is interested in when she is not painting commissioned works or creating her acclaimed marine and coastal paintings. Ms. O’Malley-Keyes has an affinity for capturing the expression and mood of those around her, which is revealed in her collection of Ballet Paintings and Panamanian Pollera dancers.
Summers spent in Camden Maine with her large family meant days of sailing and introduction to the beautiful classic sailing yachts and schooners that frequent the shores of Maine. Just down the road in Thomaston lived a friend of her father, Andrew Wyeth. As a young girl she was in awe of this American Master’s realist approach to painting. Although Julia had been painting since the age of 8 it was the early exposure to this master, in his studio on a bright morning in June that solidified her decision to become an artist and most specifically a realist artist. Her European born Father furthered her exposure with trips to Europe and its fabulous museums. Yearly excursions to Newport, Camden, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard result in her action packed oil paintings and limited edition marine prints of the numerous classic yacht regattas of the summer season.
"Many of my favorite artists show their incredible work in the fine art galleries of the coastal North East, in particular Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. It’s a learning experience to view these beautiful works of marine art up close. John Mecray, Christopher Blossom, Donald Demers, and in particular, John Stobart, are the artists that have most influenced my decision to focus my work on marine paintings.”
Although it is unusual to find a woman so deeply involved in this genre of painting, Ms. O’Malley-Keyes has made her mark as one of today’s most collected contemporary marine artists. “The sea is in my blood” say O’Malley-Keyes. Julia has spent many years studying with noted fine artists in Europe, New York City and on Cape Cod. Her unsurpassed use of vibrant color and luminosity executed in an Old Masters' technique faithfully conveys the sense of place, the ebb and flow and the thrill of big yacht racing.
Her original oil paintings and fine art limited edition prints are collected extensively by private and corporate admirers of her work in The United States, Europe, Canada, Central and South America . Ms. O'Malley-Keyes was featured in the Cape Cod Life Publications issue of Cape Cod Arts, was voted as one of the “Top 400” most influential people on Cape Cod and is regarded as one of the most collected marine and figural artists today.