Phil Cusumano

Capt. Phil Cusumano
Artist

Phil Cusumano, a marine artist and sea captain, has lived the life of his subject matter, commercial fishing. His work documents the fishing industry from the era of the tall ships to the present day. His images range from life aboard a modern day fishing dragger, to the Gloucester skyline in 1905. An image of a whale’s tail that is slipping into the water seems to jump out of another painting, while a more serene image depicts two fishing vessels out of the water awaiting repair at the Gloucester Marine Railways.
Born and raised in Gloucester, MA Phil has had a long love affair with the ocean. His father owned and operated commercial fishing vessels in Gloucester for fifty years. At the early age of thirteen, Phil started fishing during summer vacations on his father’s commercial draggers. He graduated from Gloucester High School in 1969 and fished full time on his father’s boats. “But I was always drawing, even out at sea”.
He honed his artistic skills when he studied for three years at the Vesper George School of Art in Boston and graduated in 1974. As part of commercial and design programs he learned more about how to incorporate design composition and illustration in his work. From 1972-1988 he worked primarily in watercolors influenced by his study with internationally know Rockport artist, John Terelak.
At sea when he wasn’t working on deck hauling back the net and working with the fish he would sketch some of what he saw around him. As the commercial fishing industry became more and more challenged with government regulations and fishing stocks dwindled, Phil decided to put his creative art background to work and opened up a small business as a graphic designer for seven years. During this period he continued painting, however his primary medium was oils.
The fine art in which Cusumano is now enmeshed is a result of hard work, both from the realities of making a living from the sea and recreating those scenes with a paintbrush. Having lived the life of his paintings and etchings, he invites the viewer on board to witness the many intricacies of fishermen’s daily lives. His attention to detail, historical accuracy and personal knowledge are embodied in the specific nature of his works. There is a special quality to his work which only be described as realism, visually and emotionally.
Phil signs all of his paintings either as “Filippo” or his last name Cusumano, which is his name as it appears on his birth certificate. “I use that name for all my art work. I was born with it and I was born with a love of drawing.” He is currently a Signature member of the American Society of Marine Artists (A.S.M.A.) Professional Signature Artist member of the International Society of Marine Painters (I.S.M.P.), Artist member of Marblehead Art Association, Artist member of Newburyport Art Association, and seARTS (Society for the Encouragement of the Arts).

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