(Hurricane Katrina destroyed the gallery located in Biloxi however we have reopened in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.)
228-818-8290, 228-282-4317
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Joe Moran, boat builder turned artist.
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1916-1999
Joe Moran, son of Frederic & Clo Ohr Moran, Grandson of Geo. E. Ohr, (Biloxi's world renown potter and Father of American Pottery) was born on Dec. 6, 1915.
Growing up in Biloxi, MS, Joe’s love of boats, the water and nature began at an early age, having been born into a fourth generation of boat builders. Working in his father’s shipyard gave Joe a knowledge of the lines and designs of many of the boats that would later be incorporated into his paintings.
During World War II, Joe worked at Higgins, Inc. in New Orleans, LA and it was the design of his bow that was used in the development of the now famous PT boats. After the war, Joe moved back to the Miss. Gulf Coast to his home in Biloxi, where he opened his own boat building business, "Moran's Boat Works". The growing enterprise halted after the
hurricane of 1947 destroyed it . Because of the design of his racing boats, many of Joe’s boats held world records for decades. With hurricanes a common factor along the coast, and after an almost fatal accident, Joe soon shifted his talents to drawing and painting. Joe’s career in art soared, as he became better known for preserving memories of the Miss. Gulf Coast through his paintings.
Although Joe Moran is well known for his beautiful paintings it was recently discovered he was a talented photographer.
His collection of slides could be the most comprehensive record of the coast's seafood industry during his era.
Before hurricane Katrina a portion of the slide collection was removed from studio for recording, saving it from the devastating storm.
Though Joe passed away in March of 1999, his sketches and paintings live-on. Today his paintings are across the nation, in homes and offices, but also in the White House and the Smithsonian.
Joe Moran is the grandson of the famous art potter George Ohr.
Mary Moran, daughter of Joe Moran.
Artist Mary Moran has a style of her own. Taught by her father Joe, Mary's work is shown
through out the Gulf Coast and beyond. One can see the feeling she puts into each of her paintings .
Underwater scenes and wildlife are special to Mary especially when depicting life around the gulf.
Mary has produced work admired by many through lithographs and now beautiful canvas transfers. Her
originals can be seen at the new gallery in Oceans Springs. She is often commissioned by private collectors of
her work.
Tommy Moran, son of Joe Moran.
TOMMY MORAN captures the beauty of the gulf coast on canvas much as his father did.
He uses a true to life form and a "build up" of paints giving paintings a three dimensional look.
Tommy uses his experiences on the gulf as reference in his minds eye
when he creates his paintings.
Cindy Moran-Williams, daughter of Joe Moran.
Cindy Moran specializes in creating custom framing and matting.
She uses design skills and artistic talent to present works of art with originality and professionalism.
During the times she is not accenting art or photographs Cindy promotes the gallery
and works closely with Tommy and Mary assuring art from Morans remains available.
Canvas Transfers and Fine Art Glicee's
Now Available at the gallery or online.....
Producing a canvas transfer is an intensely detailed process, which begins with an authentic Moran art print. Special chemicals are applied which, when dried, form a film that is meticulously separated from the paper and permanently embedded onto a high quality, "Grade A", artist canvas. The canvas is then carefully stretched and wrapped around a sturdy, custom-cut inner support frame or high quality panels.
A Fine Art Glicee is made by printing a high resolution digital file using a large format printer with archival inks.
The piece is printed on artists canvas as a media which is stretched around an inner frame. The final product is covered with a protective acrylic finish.
The end result of this painstaking process is a world-class textured piece of art that you will enjoy for your entire lifetime. Now you can own Moran artwork without the cost of an original. Check our new site for details on purchase.
The photos below were taken two days after hurricane Katrina.
COME VISIT OUR NEW LOCATION IN OCEAN SPRINGS, MS.
Cindy and brother Christopher Moran days after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the studio on Porter Avenue.
Debris lined on the beach front just south of the studio,
NOTE:
Beginning in 1993 Moran's Art began making high quality reproduction film of much of their original artwork. Thousands of prints were lost during hurricane Katrina as well a many original paintings.
Fortunately in Ocean Springs we were in the process of digitizing films before the storm so they were not lost. We are working to rebuild the print inventory to near pre Katrina levels. As our inventory grows we hope you visit our new studio at 1201 Bienville Blvd, Ocean Springs, MS.
Tommy, Mary, and Cindy have dedicated themselves to keeping alive the gallery and believe their father, Joe Moran, would do the same. Christopher Moran with his daughter Kelsey Moran are contributors to the rebuilding effort.
UPDATE:
Many of the images now have been digitized and most are in print. Available are different sizes which are framed and matted. Now some prints are available as canvas transfers, these are prints which are beautifully produced and have the look and feel of original oils.
Another descendant making his mark:
Justin Pearce, grandson of Joe Moran, has launched REDWIREFILMS.COM to introduce his film making skills. Justin has for sale a DVD, "Katrina Diary", showing his personal account of hurricane Katrina's affect on him, his friends and the Moran family. Photographs and posters are available as well.
