Illawarra

Illawarra by Efren Erese

        Constructed as a first-class iron cargo carrier in 1899, the Illawarra succeeded the Hesperus as a cadet training ship and for many years used what was acknowledged as the best system ever devised for training Merchant Navy officers. They would ship fifty cadets with five deck officers, a surgeon, a chaplain and a Naval Instructor who was usually an ex-naval officer. The boys were divided into two watches (shifts) each of two divisions. Half of one division “kept the deck” tending to the business of sailing the ship, while the other half studied navigation, seamanship, and nautical astronomy which was taught by the instructor or Captain. To learn sail handling, they were made responsible for the mizzen mast (the third mast), and considered it a disgrace if they needed help.

        Efren S. Erese has been a founding member of the Pacific Artists’ Guild for over 35 years. While drawing inspiration from such maritime masters as Montague Dawson and Jack Spurling, Mr. Erese has since developed his own unique style, while still honoring the tradition of the masters. He is equally at home painting the intricacies of the rigging of a 19th century clipper sailing ship as he is recording the natural beauty of the exotic flowers that surround his home in the Philippines.

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What is a Mirrored Print & Gallery Wrap?

Canvas for Gallery Wrap

Take a good look at your print. The edges are mirrored, so that, the complete image is shown on the face of the frame once it is wrapped. In other words, You don’t lose any of the artwork. Our 2½” mirrored borders, allow your finished product to have a variety of thickness up to 2” deep. Therefore, make sure you choose an experienced framer who can make the frame to the exact specs of your custom print.

Hand-made Rattan Frames

Though the design has changed over the years, we commission these Rattan frames through a small family owned company in The Philippines. Your frame is the result of trial and error of the last 20 years! Rattan is a vine-like Palm that requires forest cover in order to thrive. Rattan grows throughout the jungle for over a quarter of a mile. Its trunk can span a diameter of over two inches down to the thickness of a human hair. The harvester’s collection process is performed by hand by a simple machete. Ultimately, the rattan vine cannot survive without the forest. Rattan quickly regenerates. As a result, this method of harvesting protects the destruction of the forest.

Illawarra by Efren Erese

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