October 2016 we raced in the Maryland Yacht Club Challenge race. It was a windless, yet beautiful evening. The race ended with no one able to cross the line before time ran out. I did have my iphone out though and one of the boats I photographed was Witchcraft. Witchcraft was built in 1903 and has an amazing history. Thanks to Paul Itzel a former owner and restorer, who found her rotting in Rock Creek in 1970 she is still beautiful today. I painted her because she is a beautiful piece of history and I was attempting to paint a sunset in this large painting, 18” x 24”.

After completing the painting in February, I tried to locate the owner. I realized that there was a website: www.theyachtwitchcraft.com. Her story is fascinating and is well worth reading. I emailed Bob and asked if he were interested in purchasing the painting. He said that he was not home until the middle of April and could he see it when he returns. I put the painting in a show put on by The Chesapeake Show in the Candleberry Gallery in St Michael’s, MD for the month of April and part of

May. Dave and I were working on Dianthus at Oak Harbor in the middle of May. I left to pick up the Witchcraft painting and when I return to Oak Harbor I realize that the Witchcraft boat is on the hard at Oak Harbor.I asked Derek if I could leave the painting in the marina office while Dave and I are gone sailing in the Bermuda 1-2. I email Bob to tell him where the painting is and if he comes by to look at the boat he could see the painting as well. Chris walks by and I tell him what I have done and he says he can do one better. Bob is here somewhere right now. I will call him.

Bob looks at the painting and says he would like it but his wife needs to decide. She herself is a painter and he has been asking her for years to paint Witchcraft. Apparently, she prefers flowers. I suggest to Bob that if he brings his wife by while we are gone and she wants the painting to just take it and we can settle up later.

The painting is now hanging in Bob’s home.