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It was nine years ago, June of 2010.  My sculpture of a Puffin titled "Proud to be Puffin" had been accepted into the art show at the Project Puffin /Audubon Society in Rockland, Maine.  My girlfriend and I took a trip to attend the opening reception and to do some camping in Maine.  We visited beautiful Acadia National Park, where we camped and hiked for several wonderful days. Our last morning in the park we broke camp early and made our way out of Acadia. Passing through the small gateway town of Southwest Harbor we stopped at a little cafe on Main St. for breakfast. After a very nice meal, Kara wanted to visit a yarn store she had seen on the way in, and I decided to visit the gallery next to the cafe.  

On walking in I was immediately impressed by the Oils and especially the Watercolors by the artist, Phillip Steel, depicting coastal Maine.  It's landscape, the waters, the people, and most especially the fishermen and their craft were presented with the fuzzy reality of memories that only a master painter can offer.  While I was admiring the work the lady running the gallery approached me and started a conversation.  

My first response was to let her know that I was only admiring the work and not buying as I was only a starving artist.  Joan's first question to me was, what kind of work did I do and do I have any with me that she could see.  

Now, you need to understand, my experience up to this point was that; when approaching galleries, be prepared to be rejected and shown the door as quickly as possible.  Apparently, because they see so many artists that it is hard to be polite.

Encouraged by Joan's willingness to look at my work I went out to the car to get the second of two sculptures that I had cast for the Project Puffin show.  On seeing the sculpture, she, without a word, started clearing out a space on a table in the middle of the main window looking into the gallery.  And placing Proud to be Puffin there she turned around and asked me how much we are going to ask for the piece.  That morning "The Salty Dog" became my first gallery.  Ever since then, there has been an edition of that Puffin in the front window of The Salty Dog Gallery.

In the years that my girlfriend, ( by the way, we got engaged on  that trip and she is now my wonderful wife) and I have been with Phil and Joan, we have become friends. We have stayed with them on trips to visit Maine, eaten some memorable meals together, had many good conversations,  polished off a few bottles of wine. Joan has sold the lion's share of that Puffin edition along with quite a few other pieces through the years.

This year in March, Phil passed away.  He was an amazing talent, a good person, and my good friend.  I will miss him.

Since then Joan and family have decided to close the gallery. I have picked up my work and for the first time in many years there is no Puffin in the front window of The Salty Dog.  Thank you Phil and Joan for being my first gallery, for all the good advice, and most of all, for the past and continuing friendship.

Jim Green