Painting has been a part of Neal Hughes’ life since he took art lessons in grade school. He went on to graduate from the Philadelphia College of Art (University of the Arts) and mastered the skills necessary to do book and magazine covers, advertising, and other types of illustration. He has completed major commissions for the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team and The National Civil War Museum and has won numerous awards, including the Maritime Gallery Yachting Award and an Award of Excellence at the prestigious International Marine Art Exhibition at the Gallery at Mystic Seaport. Neal’s inspiration comes mostly from coastal subjects from the Chesapeake to Maine. He started sailing as a young boy and many of his compositions involve both historic and contemporary sailing craft. Neal is a member of the American Society of Marine Artists and Oil Painters of America.