Joe Wilhelm

At age 52, Joseph A. Wilhelm completed his first picture, left his job at a local utility company, and was soon painting ships full-time. He never had a lesson. A native of New Orleans, Mr. Wilhelm saw his first steamship when he was six years old, when he was taken to the docks to see an old cruiser and the U.S.S. battleship Arkansas; he hung around the docks continually, even learning to pilot a steamer. For years he built and sold ship models, as well, and for more than sixty years after his first view of commercial vessels, his interest in them continued. A member of the Steamship Historical Society of America, he painted commissions for steamship companies, covers for magazines, and portraits for fans of these great ships. By the Bay is proud to offer these extremely detailed original paintings by Joe Wilhelm.