Yup, that is me, Michael McGinnis Mahoney Donegan. I guess you could say my interest in art started when I was a Cub Scout and stepped aboard the USS HELENA (CA-75). I was truly amazed by the size of this powerful ship. Later that day I was given a Revelle model of the same ship with a painting on the cover by John Steele - that did it. I knew right then and there what I wanted to do with my life.
I never really took any art lessons, mainly read a lot on art and copied the styles of John Steele and noted marine artist Carl Evers. It was not until much later in my life that I added the additional dimension of aviation art. It was the combination of what I had learned on my own and then becoming a commercial artist that allowed me to develop my own style of painting. Most of my work is done on a commission basis but I also donate art to museums and museums ships in order to help them out.
A couple of publications that you may have seen my art in is on the covers of Warship International and several times in Sea Classics Magazine with a nice article about my life and my paintings in the February 2001 issue.
I take my art very seriously and spend a lot of time on research to insure that all of my art is accurate down to the most minute detail. I try and visit as many ships and museums as I can. Where ever you find me you will also find the love of my life, my wife Brenda. She is just as serious as I am about my art and encourages me to continue on with my quest.
"Captains on the Bridge"
Brenda sitting in the Captain's chair of the USS CONSTELLATION CV-64
I served my country proudly during the Vietnam War with two tours aboard the USS KITTY HAWK (CVA-63). The old girl today proudly flies the "Don't Tread on Me" flag which signifies she is the oldest ship in the fleet. She has a couple of years left in her, however her sister ship the CONSTELLATION will retire soon. Both great and proud ships.
USS KITTYHAWK CV-63
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