The South Street Gallery received quite an exciting update from Paul Arsenault and his wife Eileen around mid July 2009: "In keeping with the theme of change that seems to permeate life these days, we are shifting our scene and rocking our world this summer of 2009. Instead of setting up shop in the beloved Austin Strong house on Nantucket, we will be far away in the land of hulas and waterfalls, kahunas and volcanoes. In the spirit of carpe diem, and in the wake of 19th century Nantucket whalers, we have spread our wings and set sail for Maui. Paul has been accepted at the prestigious Hana Coast Gallery, and is living right on Hana Bay." You can see three images of his Hawaiian paintings bellow.

Arsenault's plein air paintings are immediately recognizable for their bold color and unique perspective. His talent was first recognized at the age of 16 when he won the Frank Vining Smith Award, competing with a number of adult painters. Following his graduation from the Art Institute of Boston in 1973, he joined the crew of the Research Vessel Gosnold at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. When he landed on Florida's East Coast that year, he met A.E. "Beanie" Backus, a legendary Florida landscape painter, who told Arsenault, "Jump ship and start painting!".  He followed the advice.
Arsenault's base of operations for the past 30 years is Naples, FL. From there, he has taken painting trips to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, including Cuba, Antigua, Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Barbados, the Grenadines, and his favorite island, Dominica. In 1984, he embarked on a four month painting tour of the South Pacific, including the Society Islands, Marquesas Islands, Western Samoa, Fiji, and the Hawaiian Islands. In the 1990s, he was commissioned by an international corporation to paint a series for their headquarters, sending him to Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma, Bali, other regions of Asia, and Australia . He established the Arsenault Gallery in Old Naples in 1991, and opened a summer gallery on Nantucket in 1992. With these 2 bases, he continues his travels.

Paul was part of our 10th anniversary show in February 2012. View images 'here'.

back to Artists

"Boston Light from Hull"
oil, 14"x18"

"Mystic Schooners"
oil, 14"x18"

"July at Walden Pond"
oil, 9"x12"

"4th of July, Hingham"
oil, 5"x7"

"Hingham Ferry"
oil, 7"x5"

"Hingham Yacht Club"
oil, 5"x7", SOLD

"Autumn from Otis"
oil, 11"x14"

"Autumn Day, Hingham"
oil, 14"x18"

"Hingham Harbor, October"
oil, 9"x12"

"Evening Light from Otis Street"
oil, 9"x12"

"Showboat at Nantasket"
oil, 11"x14"

"Front Street, 'Sconset"
oil, 11"x14", SOLD

"Summer Roses"
oil, 11"x9"

"Low Tide Stroll, Nantasket"
oil, 16"x36"

Diptych
oil, 30"x36"

Diptych
oil, 30"x36"

"Boston Light"
oil, 14"x18"

"Buttonwood"
oil, 9"x12"

"Hingham Center"
oil, 11"x14"

"Sailing School"
oil, 14"x18"

"Old Ship Church"
oil, 14"x11"

"The West End"
oil, 8"x10", SOLD

"West End"
oil, 14"x11"

"Carousel, Paragon Park"
oil, 20"x24"

"Autumn, Hingham Harbor"
oil, 14"x18"