Q & A with Artist-in-Residence W. Andre Allen

The bold hues and intricate grid-like patterns on glass have likely caught your attention on board before – they are the trademark of artist W. Andre Allen. Hundreds of this artist’s intriguing works are aboard our five ships, and he has been delighting guests with his techniques at Artist Loft for several years. An accomplished self-taught artist, he is based in Miami, Florida and has gained significant recognition for his unique craft and eye-catching imagery in recent years. W. Andre Allen is currently aboard Marina, hosting workshops in Artist Loft as he sails with guests among the Mediterranean during the next month. We caught up with him to discover insight into his artwork and the inspiration he brings to Artist Loft.

At Artist Loft with Graham Denison: Acclaimed Palette Knife Artist & Former Walt Disney Artist

If you walk into one of Graham Denison’s Artist Loft workshops, there’s a good chance you’ll find him immersed in demonstrating how to draw Winnie the Pooh or another beloved Disney character to a room full of guests. Long before he became a master of illustrating these characters, Graham was fascinated by them.

Frank Hyder Launches Exclusive Art Installation Aboard Nautica

Upon entering Frank Hyder’s airy Wynwood studio in Miami, you are immediately greeted by an explosion of color – the great splashes of his iconic koi fish, the gold leaf backgrounds and dense jungle foliage, the tribal stripes and glowing figures. Then you notice the giant inflatable sculptures – one, a massive human head with a painted face and steady gaze, and the other, a poised killer whale with curious transparent circle on its chest.

Behind the Scenes at Artist Loft: The Best Job Ever

An artist-in-residence with Oceania Cruises since 2011, Pat Grillo is an award-winning artist who has exhibited and sold her work across the country and to private collectors throughout the world. While living in southern Florida, her work was exhibited in museums and galleries in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Coral Springs and Boca Raton.

She now lives in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, near Asheville, where she continues to teach and paint. As a contemporary realist, Pat aims to bring a sense of proportion and light to the canvas. Her work embodies a balance of realism and vibrant color that encourages the viewer to see everyday objects in new ways. Pat’s husband, Angelo, shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be an artist-in-residence at Artist Loft on board.

Imagine the best job ever. Imagine spending three to four months a year sailing the world, as a guest, aboard a luxurious Oceania Cruises ship. The Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, the Caribbean, the Baltic Sea, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Vietnam, Bora Bora and Tahiti – these are just some of the destinations to which these five-star ships sail.

Lake Lure artist Pat Grillo does just that. She is an artist-in-residence for Oceania Cruises – the only cruise line that offers complimentary art lessons, with all supplies included, by a professionally recognized artist. For the last five years, Pat has been traveling the world, painting and teaching art. Her works now hang in homes, businesses and galleries throughout the world.

Of course, the first questions she gets are “How did you get this gig?” and then, “Do you need someone to carry your bags?” Her husband has the bag handling assignment locked up, but to answer the first question, Oceania Cruises seeks out the best artists they can find, who can also teach and are ridiculously personable. Oceania Cruises discovered Pat through her website and the rest is history.

How does an artist-in-residence spend her time at sea? Well it’s actually quite hectic. Most days are spent at a storybook port such as Marseilles, Dubrovnik, Rio de Janeiro or Bora Bora. Pat is up by 7 am to escort a group of guests on a tour. Then, she heads back to the ship for a quick bite and to prepare for her 4 pm class. The complimentary class of 25 to 35 students lasts about 90 minutes and, in this timeframe, everyone completes a work of art that is framed and hung for the duration of the voyage.

After the class, there’s still time to catch the end of happy hour in one of the ship’s swinging lounges. By about 7:30 pm, everyone moves on to dinner in one of the specialty restaurants, the Grand Dining Room or the outdoor Terrace Café for a sumptuous buffet.

Time for bed yet?  No way.

At 9:30 pm, there’s always a show in the main theater featuring the ships wonderfully talented troupe or an invited entertainer.

Is it time for bed now?

Only if you choose. Otherwise there’s dancing, karaoke, musical trivia and, of course, the casino. All of which are open till the last guest calls it a night.

Days at sea are a bit more leisurely. On a sea day, Pat will usually open Artist Loft to guests while she paints and coaches. The music is relaxing and the poolside bar is only a wave away.

When asked what is the best part of her job, she responds that she has received emails from former student guests who had never picked up a brush before attending her classes sharing that they are now painting in earnest. Many of her students so enjoy her classes that before they schedule another Oceania Cruises voyage, they check to see if Pat will be on board. It seems that a surprising number of the guests have previously cruised with Oceania Cruises.

Pat will be the featured artist-in-residence this summer on Insignia’s Polynesian Treasures, Pacific Crossing and Summer Shores. She invites you to join her on the high seas soon!

Artist Spotlight: The Globally-Inspired & Multilayered Work of Frank Hyder

The colorful images of koi fish, an archetypal symbol of good fortune and natural harmony, can often be found in Frank Hyder’s award-winning paintings – many of which are on display aboard our ships. Hyder, an accomplished artist that has showcased his work throughout North, South and Central America, has become known for translating simple images, such as heads and fish, into intricate constructions that hint at the innate complexity found in nature.

Hyder’s vibrant works can be found throughout our ships, such as his triptych, Variegated Float, near Terrace Café on Marina. These and many of Hyder’s other unique works have origins deep in Venezuela in a cloud forest, a fascinating ecosystem noted for its pervasive and consistent cloud cover which creates a misty, and often surreal, environment. When Hyder was awarded a Fulbright scholarship in 2001, he and his family moved to a cloud forest in Venezuela where they lived for 15 months – a life-changing experience, he noted.

Variegated Float, Marina’s Terrace Café corridor, courtesy of Frank Hyder

“It was there that I became interested in layers, depth—and the illusion of depth and layers—and interproximal space,” Hyder recalled. “It was transformational for all of us.”

Two of Hyder’s paintings on the pool deck of Riviera, courtesy of Frank Hyder

Hyder explained that this focus led him to develop a special process that enabled him to explore these concepts more deeply. The process involves gold, silver and other metal leaf materials, a clear epoxy resin, along with layers of transparent colors, usually embedded in additional coatings of resins. The pouring of several layers of resin provides the effect of floating – the colors appear to be perpetually suspended in liquid. The special process frequently requires months to complete a work, and is a culmination of nearly 30 years of painting experimentation. The end result creates a shimmering multi-dimensional realm that calls to mind water, but also perhaps that of the intangible – the illusory, ethereal and otherworldly.

Hyder leading a workshop in Artist Loft, courtesy of Frank Hyder

Drawing on global sources for his personal inspiration, Hyder similarly enjoys focusing his workshops in Artist Loft – calling on the destinations for inspiration.

“I like to offer experiences that connect to the travel experience,” Hyder noted.

For example, during a South Pacific voyage with Oceania Cruises, Hyder collected sand from Papeete, Bora Bora and several other islands—gathering sand in a range of colors and textures.

Variegated Tide, near Marina’s Terrace Café, courtesy of Frank Hyder

Then during a workshop, Hyder led the guests in tracing transfers of location images with the sand.

“The guests were really excited about it—we created something meaningful, rooted in the place and the experience,” Hyder said.

With over 30 of Hyder’s paintings showcased among our five ships, we invite you to discover his enchanting and thought-provoking artwork during your next voyage.