Featured Bret Kennedy 'Marina' boat painting

This is a nice and clear signature and all, but I can't find anything about Bret Kennedy.... maybe an amateur, but still shows some skill? Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance, as always.

14.5" x 18.5" (37x47cm); found in Portland Oregon, US

 

if I owned that home , I'd want that painting.....
can't say I like the water........... over the top !
but the rest is charming...

and it's a dock...not a marina...

 

Maybe a commercial artist?

Ditto.

 

No amateur could do that. Might have commercial training.

Debora

 

I read "Magnolia Street" as the address. Can anyone read the number? (Starts with a "2"?)

Debora

 

2144?

 

Wow-- I would not have gotten that, but it looks like you're right!

 

Yes, a schooled artist IMO - composition is quite good, crisp realism. And the way the water is strong contrast white over a blackish base gives that effect of a brilliant sunny day. Hand nailed canvases another sign of someone more 'in' the artist world. It's a nice little work, captures a mid century time and place.

 

Thanks @Drew --- Appreciate your judgment.

 

Ha! Found him. Bret Sheldon Kennedy. Longview, WA and Florence, OR. There's a Magnolia Street in Longview, WA. Think we're misreading the number though as there doesn't appear to be a 2144.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/286813828448

Suspect the work is entitled "Marina", even though it depicts a dock, because floating homes are grouped in marinas.

Debora

 

You, Debora, are amazing. Thank you for your research!! Awesome.

 

Bret Kennedy was a high school student in the mid seventies. That is when he painted this picture. I saw him painting it in class, maybe 1975 or 76. (It took him a long time to finish.) Magnolia Street was just a few blocks from the school... R.A. Long school... so most likely he lived there. Even though he was very quiet and unassuming (and quite tall), he would go around the class and help other students who were struggling with their pictures. He would do many one man shows at the Public Library Gallery, and those shows were a highlight to the arts community in Longview. He was also featured at various shows and galleries. When he painted this picture he was a very young man, and I can vouch from being a part of the community, that he became a talented and creative artist.

 

By the way, the boat dock painting was done in oil paint... I remember the class was dangerously messy with smears of the fabric-ruining paint all over the place. The art teacher's name was Mrs. Reese. Good teacher who pushed and expected excellence from her students. And it was clear that Bret was one of her favorite students.

 

She must have been a *elluva art teacher to get that quality of work from a high school student.

Debora

 

I think you are right!

 

Thanks for the added info @Cloaked Artist! And welcome to Antiquers.