WATERCOLOR +
PEN AND INK
Inspired by the sea
ABOUT BEN N INK
Cape Cod artist Ben McLaughlin combines a scientific mind born of studying marine ecology with a creative soul inherited from and nurtured by his mother, a talented portrait painter.
His specialty is hand drawn whales, painted with Cape Cod bay water and watercolor pigments, then overlaid with intricate pointillism. His unique use of color and materials and his deep familiarity with marine life helps him bring life to each whale. You’ll find each one has its own personality.
Born and raised in the South in Texas and Kentucky, he moved to Florida to be near the sea, where he surfed, sailed, and studied—becoming an ichthyologist (a fish scientist). There, he met the love of his life Anne, with whom he had two daughters, Jenna and Erin, before moving north to New England to be closer to family.
While the McLaughlins lived in Connecticut, there was always a special place in their hearts for East Dennis, particularly Sea Street Beach, where the extended family, affectionately dubbed “the Duggies,” had been living and visiting since 1920. When both daughters grew up and left Connecticut, amid a global pandemic that made all of us think hard about what’s most important in life, Ben and Anne decided to make their love affair with Dennis permanent. They bought an old farm house on Airline Road in May, 2021—the future site of Ben's gallery and workshop.
In Ben's newest collection salt water from Cape Cod Bay is combined with professional grade watercolor pigments to create highly unusual textures and effects. Variations in pigment density within the salt water cause the paint to settle at different rates, resulting in highly naturalistic patterns.
Ben is just getting started bringing his art to stores, galleries, breweries, and shows on Cape Cod and the Islands. He’s open for commissions and connections. Look out for his signature whales.
All of the artwork on sale at this point is original, one of a kind. In the near future, limited edition signed prints, note cards, and stickers will be available.
