Impressions of Our Maritime Heritage

Award winning marine artist Michael Protiva has long been fascinated by the awesome beauty and myriad moods of the ever-changing sea. Protiva come to know the ocean well - from monstrous waves on the high seas to San Francisco's foggy calms - during a stint in the Navy and years of living aboard a boat in Sausalito.

Now he divides his time between the West Coast, the Southwest and New England pursuing his artistic endeavors. Protiva's ancestors have a rich history in the Cape and New England area; he is a direct descendant of John Howland, who came to Plymouth on the Mayflower. It is no wonder that Protiva holds ties and an innate sense of connection to the Northeastern region.

Michael's art is in many private and public collections including the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco and the National Maritime Museum. He is represented nationally by galleries in Hawaii, New Mexico, Massachusetts and North Carolina.