Meet Artist and Author Tom Crestodina

Artist, author, and commercial fisherman Tom Crestodina will be at Tides and Anchor Boutique in Westport on Saturday, January 11th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a special book signing as part of the Storms and Seafood Event. Crestodina will be signing copies of his book Working Boats: An Inside Look at Ten Amazing Watercraft. While the book is designed for children, boat enthusiasts of all ages will appreciate his exploration of working boats, complete with explanations of their mechanics and the people who operate them. This is a great opportunity for anyone curious about the inner workings of the maritime world.

Tom Crestodina splits his time between Bellingham and Alaska, spending just over half the year creating art and educating others about maritime life, and the rest working as a commercial fisherman aboard a 1946 wooden seiner. A lifelong artist, Tom began drawing as soon as he could hold a pencil and, apart from one brief semester at art school, is entirely self-taught. His maritime career began in his 20’s at a Seattle boatyard, followed by earning a degree in marine engineering from the Seattle Maritime Academy. He famously skipped his graduation ceremony to start working in Sitka.

Tom’s real passion for drawing boats and cutaway illustrations started after his son was born and he would spend months away from his family. He described it as a way to deal with the guilt of being apart, but also to show his son the world he worked in and the boats he operated. His artwork quickly gained attention from other fishermen, who saw his illustrations as a meaningful way to connect with their own families. This feedback inspired Tom to document the working boats of the world.

When creating his detailed boat illustrations, Tom draws on personal experience or thoroughly researches unfamiliar vessels. He boards the boats, explores every corner and crawlspace, takes photos, asks questions, and studies their inner workings. Tom is currently working on a new book, Working Boats: Safety, Salvage, and Rescue, which will feature vessels from Oregon and Washington. He’s especially excited to visit Westport, explore the marina, and take a closer look at the Dungeness crab fleet that calls Westport home.

To learn more about Tom Crestodina and see more of his art please visit The Scow.