Harry Heine, CSMA, RSMA

(24 July 1928 – 25 September 2004).   Past President of the Canadian Society of Marine Artists

Pacific Swift [ enlargement ]

Harry Heine, R.S.M.A. C.S.M.A. N.W.W.S. After a career spanning more than forty years as an artist it is not surprising that Heine's mastery of the watercolour medium is immediately evident.

A member of the Royal Society Of Marine Artists, to which he was elected the first and only Canadian member in 1980, he is considered one of the leading Marine artists in Canada. He exhibited regularly with the R.S.M.A. in London and and many of his works have been exhibited at Mystic, Connecticut, and in gallery exhibitions internationally.

Heine was a signature member of the Canadian Society of Marine Artists and of the Federation of Canadian Artists. He served as President of the Canadian Society of Marine Artists. He was made an honorary Citizen of the City of Victoria in 1985, and an Honorary Alberta Artist in 1983, in recognition of his contribution to the Visual Arts. He is also a member of the Northwest Watercolour Society.

His work hangs in many public collections including the Legislative Buildings of the Government of British Columbia; Washington State Arts Commission Collection; Captain Cook Birthplace Museum England; Mystic Seaport Museum U.S.A.; the Provincial Maritime Museum B.C.; Government House Collection, B.C.; the Mendel Gallery Saskatchewan; the Edmonton Art Gallery and the Alberta Art Foundation.

Captain Cook, 1778 sending boats [ enlargement ]

Heine has painted murals for Expo 86 in Vancouver, Syncrude Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion in Edmonton and the towns of Vegreville, Fort Saskatchewan, Chemainus and Chetwynd. Painting commissions include the Canada Society (America's Cup). Telecom Canada, H.M.C.S. Malahat, the Government of B.C. and Beautiful British Columbia Magazine. Other works range from carved murals and ship models to posters and book illustrations. He was honoured as a life Member of the Sail & Life Training Society and the Vintage Vessel Registry.

Teaching

For many decades, Heine shared his techniques through demonstrations, workshops, and classes throughout Western Canada and overseas as guest lecturer for P & O Lines' Swan Hellenic Cruises. From 1980 his private painting tours took him and his students to varied locales in Europe Asia and North America. His co-host on these trips was the experienced teacher and highly respected watercolourist, his daughter Caren. Their very different styles, subjects and approach to the medium provided a rich resource for their students and an aesthetic tenor for their fellow travellers.

Bibliography

Encyclopedia of British Columbia
A Celebration of Marine Ant., Royal Society of Marine Artists
Who's Who in American Art
Who's Who in Art
Dictionary of International Biography
Who's Who in the West