Artist Ed Parker combines his interest in nautical history, his skill as an illustrator and his sense of whimsy to produce paintings that are technically precise and also tell stories filled with humor. His work can be seen at the Gleason Fine Art gallery in Boothbay Harbor through June 21. An opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, May 28 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Parker began to hone his drawing skills as a youngster growing up in Andover, Massachusetts. In school he was admonished by his teachers for doodling in the margins of his test papers. He went on to earn art degrees from the Massachusetts College of Art and Rochester Institute of Technology.

His work career began as an illustrator. He became the first art director at the Boston Magazine.

His job there was to commission illustrators but the budget was so small that he could only pay for the cover. The rest of the interior art he did himself.

“I can do multiple styles,” Parker said, surrounded by his work at the Gleason gallery on May 18.

Parker said that his fascination with the ocean and maritime traditions is deeply rooted in his family history as well as in that of his wife, Karen.

“I have always loved the ocean," said Parker.

His family started coming to Southport Island in the ’60s, bought a house in Christmas Cove in the ’70s, and is step-by-step planning a permanent move to become year-round residents. 

Parker has particularly taken an interest in nineteenth century ships and stories that surround them. It turned out that the Victorian era sparked bizarre adventurism on the ocean.

"They would do funny things,” he said.

He gave the example of a captain, Thomas Crapo, who in 1877 decided that he would cross the ocean to England in a 19-foot dory. Parker said publicity stunts such Crapo’s were rewarded with profitable speaking tours.

Parker’s “Waiting for the Tides” shows Crapo and his wife nattily dressed aboard the dory high and dry resting on a wagon.

“The Circus Ship” tells the tale of a circus troop being transported by boat replete with animals, tightrope walkers, and clowns. Tragically, the boat was consumed by fire.

“I showed the ship sailing along peacefully,” said Parker.

Another tells the tale of fishermen who apparently encountered a sea serpent in Boothbay Harbor.

Parker has also been inspired by contemporary nautical scenes, as in “ Market Boat,” which depicts a sailboat laden with produce, chickens and a girl playing a violin as it stops at harbors along the Sheepscot River.

“I try to make them believable and surreal at the same time,” said Parker.

Parker occasionally runs into problems with purists who hold him accountable for every physical detail. In one such painting, a woman complained that a signal flag was on the wrong side of the boat. She ignored the fact that the boat was towing a lighthouse that was still attached to the island on which it was perched.

Parker has also launched himself into sculptural works incorporating found objects into the mix.

His work can be found in multiple museum exhibits throughout the country but the Gleason show is his first gallery show in Maine.

In addition to art, Parker also is a jazz aficionado, plays the guitar and sings folk songs.

Gleason Fine Art is located at 31 Townsend Avenue.