Welcome to Past Presence Productions - The Studio of Ray Crane

Later, I returned closer to earth and to a subject that had been a passion since childhood – aviation. My interests were primarily historical – the golden age of air transportation and air travel in America. In the tradition of marine artists who depict the great age of sail, I set out to recapture the early days of a new form of transportation that changed America forever – and to pay tribute in particular to the local aircraft and airlines that were among the early pioneers.

In recent years, my interests have expanded to other forms of early transportation, most notably schooners and other vessels that figured prominently in New England maritime history. Today, living on Cape Ann provides endless opportunities to observe vintage sailing vessels first hand and visit the harbors and coves that have inspired American artists for more than 200 years. Exploring the locations witnessed by earlier artists of the region – e.g., Heade, Lane, Salmon, Homer – provides a connection with the past and inspiration to create new work that shows their world as it is today.

Related in spirit are my paintings of the seashore, rocky landscapes and old homes of Essex County and Cape Ann, which are likewise inspired by careful observation and research.

Taken together, my paintings reflect my broad interest in New England's maritime, aviation and architectural heritage. Through my paintings I try to instill a greater appreciation for the past and show the enduring influence of the past in our life today. At the same time, I try to suffuse my paintings with a quiet calm that provides a peaceful respite from the hectic pace of our 21st century world
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	ARTIST'S STATEMENT Growing up on Boston's North Shore, surrounded by so much history, I often wondered what it must have looked like when the area was first settled. That early curiosity led to years of reading and research about life in New England, which continues to this day and provides a major source of inspiration for my work. In more than 30 years of creating art professionally, my work has evolved through several distinct phases and themes. Starting out, my focus was astronomical art, inspired by information that crossed my desk as artist for the Planetarium at Boston's Museum of Science.
Later, I returned closer to earth and to a subject that had been a passion since childhood – aviation. My interests were primarily historical – the golden age of air transportation and air travel in America. In the tradition of marine artists who depict the great age of sail, I set out to recapture the early days of a new form of transportation that changed America forever – and to pay tribute in particular to the local aircraft and airlines that were among the early pioneers. In recent years, my interests have expanded to other forms of early transportation, most notably schooners and other vessels that figured prominently in New England maritime history. Today, living on Cape Ann provides endless opportunities to observe vintage sailing vessels first hand and visit the harbors and coves that have inspired American artists for more than 200 years. Exploring the locations witnessed by earlier artists of the region – e.g., Heade, Lane, Salmon, Homer – provides a connection with the past and inspiration to create new work that shows their world as it is today. Related in spirit are my paintings of the seashore, rocky landscapes and old homes of Essex County and Cape Ann, which are likewise inspired by careful observation and research. Taken together, my paintings reflect my broad interest in New England's maritime, aviation and architectural heritage. Through my paintings I try to instill a greater appreciation for the past and show the enduring influence of the past in our life today. At the same time, I try to suffuse my paintings with a quiet calm that provides a peaceful respite from the hectic pace of our 21st century world .
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