Donald Demers

We are honored and excited to welcome master painter Donald Demers to facilitate his premier workshop at the Casa.
Join him in Mexico, February 28 to March 7, 2026, as we celebrate 20 years of workshops at the Casa!

Don Demers, Breaking in the Light, oil, 24″× 36″

Donald Demers was born in 1956, in the small, rural community of Lunenburg, Massachusetts. His interest in art began as a small child eventually focusing on maritime subjects while spending his summers on the coast of Maine near Boothbay Harbor.

After finishing an exemplary high school art program, he furthered his education at the School of the Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, MA, and the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, MA.

Donald Demers, Between Hauls and Weather, watercolor

Don’s maritime experience came about as a crew member aboard traditional sailing vessels. He continues to be an avid sailor.

Donald Demers, Foggy Start, oil, 24″ x 36″

His professional career began as an illustrator and expanded into the field of fine art. . His illustrations can be found on many book covers and in national publications such as Reader’s Digest, Sail Magazine, Field & Stream, Sports Afield, Yankee, and National Geographic.

Donald Demers, Working Through a Fog, East River, NYC, oil, 20×24Donald Demers, Waiting out the Fog, oil, 11″ x 14″

Demers’ paintings have been featured in a number of publications including American Artist magazine, Artist magazine, Plein Air magazine, Fine Art Connoisseur , Art and Antiques, Yachting magazine, Nautical Quarterly, Nautical World, Offshore magazine, Yankee magazine and Maine Boats and Harbors. His work has also been featured and discussed in a number of texts including Concordia Yawls, The First Fifty Years, by Elizabeth Meyer, Marine Painting and Yachts on Canvas, both authored by James Taylor, of Greenwich, England. Yacht Portraits published by Sheridan House, A Gallery of Marine Art, Rockport Publishers, an instructional textbook titled Marine Painting, Techniques of Modern Masters published by Watson Guptill and Bound for Blue Water written by J. Russell Jinishian and published by Greenwich Workshop.

Donald Demers, East River Traffic, The Bark Quickstep, 18″x 24″

Demers’ diversity has enabled him to apply his skills to clients ranging from American Airlines to the National Park Service. Various projects have included creating art for national television advertisements, educational television programming and designing art glass for Steuben.

Donald Demers, Fog in the Harbor, oil

Donald Demers, Leaving the Anchorage, gouache, 8″ x 10″

Demers’ body of work has expanded to the study and creation of landscape painting. These works are created from subjects across the country and beyond, often in consort with other artists of similar inspiration.

Donald Demers, Evening Lights, oil, 18″ x 12″

Donald Demers, Sunlit Fields, oil, 8″ x 10″Donald Demers, Catalina, oil
His landscape work has garnered him two awards at the Laguna Plein Air Invitational in Laguna Beach, California in 2001 and 2002. He has also received an award for his painting at the 2007 Crystal Cove Invitational sponsored by the Irvine Museum in Orange County, CA.

Donald Demers, Along the Docks, oil, 10″ x 8″

Demers is a “Fellow” of the American Society of Marine Artists, a signature member of PAPA (Plein Air Painters of America), an elected life time member of the Salmagundi Club, an “Artist” member and serves on the Board of Governors of the Rockport Art Association and Museum, a board member of the John Stobart Foundation and an elected member of the California Art Club. He has won a record twenty two awards at the Mystic International Marine Art Exhibition, Mystic, CT. including the Rudolph J. Schaefer Maritime Heritage Award in 2006 and 2011, and the Stobart Foundation Award in 2009 and 2017. In 2018 Demers garnered two Honorable Mentions at the Art Renewal Center Salon Exhibition. Demers’ illustrations have been recognized by the Museum of American Illustration four times in their national competition representing the finest examples of work in the field.

Donald Demers, Warrens Beach, oil

Recognized for his communication skills, Don conducts workshops for artists as well as producing instructional DVDs. He also lectures on his landscape and marine art. His audiences include museums, art associations, yacht clubs, historical societies and educational institutions.

Donald Demers, Over the Undertow, oil, 24″ x 36″

His work has been exhibited in numerous traveling museum exhibitions across the country and is housed in the permanent collections of a number of museums in the U.S.

Donald Demers, Onrush, oil, 18″ x 24″

To learn more about Don Demers visit his website:
www.DonaldDemers.com