Dear Mr. Karas,
On behalf of the RAA&M National Juried Show 2026 Committee, we are delighted to tell you that your piece Granite Guard has been accepted into the exhibition. Congratulations!
Granite Guard Oil on mounted linen 24 X 36
This painting captures the unyielding granite shoreline of the New England coast. The oncoming waves build larger and larger. Ultimately, the water crests and topples over producing the excitement of onrushing surf.
- Michael B. Karas, Fellow, American Society of Marine Artists
RAA&M NATIONAL JURIED SHOW
November 14 - December 31, 2026
Online Gallery Available November 14, 2026
Founded in 1921, the Rockport Art Association & Museum is one of the oldest and most esteemed art associations in the country. Artists began flocking to beautiful Rockport and Cape Ann in the late nineteenth century, working together, supporting each other, and opening studios, galleries, and art schools. Wishing to formalize their community, they founded the Rockport Art Association, holding exhibitions in churches, libraries, Town Hall, and the like until purchasing 12 Main St., a home built by Captain Josiah Haskell in the mid-1700s, in 1928.
The Hibbard Gallery, named in honor of co-founder and renowned painter Aldro T. Hibbard, was built in 1930, while the attached Maddocks Gallery, named after artist Harold Maddocks, is a converted nineteenth-century barn that was once part of the Annisquam Cotton Mill. For over 100 years, the RAA&M has served as a beacon of creativity and community on Cape Ann.
The RAA&M is an extremely active art association, presenting more than 30 exhibitions a year. It also offers a wide range of arts education programs for people of all ages and abilities, hold an Annual Art Auction of primarily historic Cape Ann art, collaborate with other Cape Ann organizations on special events and exhibitions, and welcome visitors from all over the world. Admission is always free.
Mr. Karas' painting, Granite Guard is included in MODERN MARINE MASTERS, an Exhibition and Sale of artwork by members of the American Society of Marine Artists. This highly anticipated juried exhibition will present new works by members of the society in celebration of the nation’s 250th Anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence, and its proud maritime history. May 19 - July 10, 2026
Granite Guard Oil on mounted linen 24 X 36
This painting captures the unyielding granite shoreline of the New England coast. The oncoming waves build larger and larger. Ultimately, the water crests and topples over producing the excitement of onrushing surf.
- Michael B. Karas, Fellow, American Society of Marine Artists
Mr. Karas' painting Surging Sea is included in the First International Online Marine Art Exhibition.
A detail of Mr. Karas' painting, Surging Sea, was chosen as the cover of the catalogue for the First International Online Marine Art Exhibition.
The printed catalogue of the First International Online Marine Art Exhibition brings together five of the world's premier marine art societies, the American Society of Marine Artists, the Australian Society of Marine Artists, the Canadian Society of Marine Artists, l'Association des Peintres Officials de la Marine (France) and the Royal Society of Marine Artists (United Kingdom).
Featuring more than 150 of the finest contemporary marine artworks,
the First International Marine Art Exhibition
is a glorious full color celebration of marine art from around the world.
The American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA) 18th National Exhibition, completed it's stay at the Burroughs Chapin Museum of Art on April 17, 2021.
Before the show ended, Mr. Karas had the opportunity to visit the museum on the final weekend and view this amazing exhibition. He was warmly welcomed by the Executive Director and Museum Shop Coordinator of Special Projects. Both ladies gave him a complete tour of the exhibit, as well as the rest of this most special and intimate venue. The entire show was expertly hung by the museum's Curator, allowing each piece to be fully viewed with plenty of light and space to take in each individual painting or sculpture.
Thank you to the entire museum staff for your warm southern hospitality! - Michael B. Karas
The entire exhibition at this venue, can be viewed by clicking the link below:
The exhibition is being packed and ready to be shipped to the next venue which will be:
The conference drew together some of the best and brightest of American Marine art today. These artists and attendees understand the Society's purpose is not only to promote American Marine art, but also to be a place where artists can learn, grow and share.
The conference was in conjunction with the opening of the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA) 18th National Exhibition at the Jamestown Settlement Museum. The exhibition is then traveling to 4 other museums across the country, over the next 18 months.
However, the entire show catalog can be viewed on-line at:https://americansocietyofmarineartists.com/18th-National
Mr. Karas' painting, Breaking Surf is included in an upcoming traveling museum exhibition.
The American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA) 18th National Exhibition, will tour museums around the country, March 6, 2020 - October 3, 2021
Breaking Surf Oil on mounted linen 16 X 20
Artist Michael B. Karas has exhibited in the Patron's Gallery at the esteemed Salmagundi Club, NYC.
The Salmagundi Club, a fine arts center founded in 1871, is one of the oldest art organizations in the United States and is housed in an historic brownstone mansion. High Sea & Low Shores, an invitational exhibition featured works by the Fellows of the American Society of Marine Artists. Mr. Karas' painting, Last Light was included in this well-thought-of exhibition. - April 3-April 17-2019
Last Light Oil on mounted linen 9 X 12
Artist Michael B. Karas stands in front of his very own Billboard displaying his painting:
Low Country Enchantment.
Low Country Enchantment 40 X 60 Billboard measures 14 ft X 48 ft!
As a winner of an Art Pop Street Gallery competition, his work was displayed for one year in this exciting outdoor venue.- February, 2017-2018
Seaside Glory Oil on mounted linen 42 X 36
I planned my visit to see the masterful paintings of Lowcountry artist Michael B. Karas.
Michael B. Karas was the cover artist for Shrimp, Collards & Grits Volume II, by Pat Branning.
Cover painting: Low Country Enchantment
This coffee-table book featuring beautiful artwork, recipes and stories about the Southern way of life, includes additional images of Mr. Karas' Lowcountry paintings.
"The paintings by artist Michael B. Karas, transcend both time and place with a sincerity of execution that lock the images into our minds forever." - Pat Branning - Southern Lifestyle Author - 2015
Michael B. Karas is an Art in Embassies (AIE) artist.
The Museum of Modern Art first envisioned this global visual arts program in 1953. President John F. Kennedy formalized it at the U.S. Department of State in 1963. Art in Embassies is the sole agent for the purchase of art for permanent collections in New Embassy Complexes around the world.
Mr. Karas' painting, Coast of Acadia, is included in this distinguished global collection. - 2005
Coast of Acadia Oil on mounted linen 48 X 48
Bound for Blue Water, the definitive collection of the best of contemporary American marine art, by J. Russell Jinishian
Mr. Karas' seascape painting, Afternoon Light, is included in this fine coffee-table book.
"In the wrong artistic hands the reproduction of surf crashing on the shore can produce the worst of clichés. In the right hands, the same scene can be a powerful metaphor for the profound enigma and hypnotizing beauty of the sea. Winslow Homer's (1836-1910) large ocean paintings made at the end of his career are some of the most admired in all marine art. For over thirty years Frederick Waugh (1861-1940) refined the art of seascape painting, as did Charles Vickery (1914-1998) soon after. Today Michael B. Karas travels the east coast from New England to the Carolinas, creating paintings with stately, almost architectural compositions, enlivened with bold brushstrokes, then infused with a radiant seaside light." - J. Russell Jinishian - Leading Authority on Marine Art - 2003
Afternoon Light Oil on mounted linen 24 X 30
Michael B. Karas' painting, Rough Seas, was chosen as the Exhibition Poster for the American Society of Marine Artists 12th National Exhibition.
The museum show was hosted by the Riverfront Arts Center and the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, Delaware - September 28 - November 25, 2001
Rough Seas Oil on mounted linen 30 X 40
Michael B. Karas was the Cover artist along with a feature article in the Spring Island Journal - Winter 1998
Cover painting: Low Country Tidewater
Strokes and Strikes, A Flyfishing Artist's Perfect Day, chronicles Mr. Karas' visit to Spring Island, one day in October in 1997. He painted plein air, finishing 2 paintings and caught 4 fish including a 24 pound Redfish, a 6 pound Flounder and an 8 pound Largemouth Bass. A perfect ending to an unbelievable Spring Island day, which also happened to be his Wedding Anniversary as well. What a day!
Michael B. Karas appeared as a guest painter on John Stobart's Worldscape II.
The video series aired nationally on PBS. Michael and John meet in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, Maine, painting plein air on the rocky coast.
"Karas paints like a master and presents a major contribution to the survival of the craft."
- John Stobart (1929-2023) - Maritime Artist - July 1997
Mr. Karas has and continues to have, many articles written about him and his paintings. These articles focus on his paintings, approach and thoughts on painting and appear in local and national magazines and newspapers.- 1975-Presen
Surf's Up, was an article written by Mr. Karas for the 2019 Summer Issue of the American Society of Marine Artists,
News and Journal. The article discusses Mr. Karas' thoughts on Seascape Painting.
"Karas captures the fury of the ocean with a power worthy of Winslow Homer. His seascape paintings come to life, not so much through the magnificent depiction of crashing breakers against the rocks, as through the exquisite rendering of light captured in a dancing wave. Light is one of Karas' main interests, and he handles it with brio".- Jaqueline Hall - Art Critic - 1989
Among the Spartina, was an article written by Mr. Karas for the 2020 Winter Issue of the American Society of Marine Artists, News and Journal. The article discusses Mr. Karas' thoughts on Painting the Tidal Salt Marshes.
Mr. Karas was the cover artist and subject of a feature article in American Artist magazine titled, "A Conversation with Michael B. Karas". by Charles Movalli (1945-2016) Artist, Author, Teacher and Friend - July, 1982
Cover painting: Trout Fishing on the Pemigewasset 30 X 40 Oil
Mr. Karas has received several awards for excellence in painting. -1975-Present
