Author: Elizabeth Gleason
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The Lois C
Merrill Coffin’s The Lois C is a tender tribute, not only to the maritime traditions he often celebrated, but also to his wife, for whom the piece is named. This painting captures a moment of stillness on the water, where work and devotion meet in a scene of quiet beauty.…
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Dockside Stillness
In Dockside Stillness, Merrill Coffin captures a quiet maritime scene filled with balance and reflection. A white sailboat rests peacefully against the dock, its image mirrored in the calm surface of the water. Overhead, two seagulls sweep across the sky, adding a sense of gentle motion to the otherwise tranquil harbor.…
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Loon and The Loonlet
In his later years, Merrill Coffin’s eyesight began to fade, but his passion for painting never dimmed. Loon and Loonlet is a poignant example of this period—less detailed than his earlier wildlife portraits, yet filled with warmth, balance, and emotional depth. The scene is set in a quiet inlet surrounded by towering…
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Portrait of the Quail
Among the many wildlife portraits painted by Merrill Coffin, one stands out for its quiet grace—a quail perched confidently on a weathered log. Behind the bird, soft hills dissolve into a light grey horizon, offering a muted backdrop that places full attention on the subject. The quail’s plumage, rendered in…
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Autumn Sentinel
In this portrait, Merrill Coffin captures the quiet dignity of a quail poised atop a fallen tree. Against a backdrop of golden fields and distant trees fading into a pale white sky, the bird embodies both resilience and stillness. The earthy tones of its plumage blend seamlessly with the autumnal…
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Loons on Lady Evelyn
Among Merrill Coffin’s many artistic works, his wildlife paintings hold a special place for their ability to capture both the essence of nature and the memories tied to beloved places. Loons on Lady Evelyn is one such piece—a tranquil yet vibrant scene inspired by his annual fishing trips to Lady…
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Autumn Homecoming
In this autumn scene by Merrill Coffin, the quiet beauty of rural life unfolds against a backdrop of a weathered grey barn and golden fields. Overhead, a flock of geese makes its journey south, echoing the season’s change. Birch trees, touched with amber, dot the field, while a great golden…
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Golden Fields & Crimson Wings
An Autumn Moment by Merrill Coffin Merrill Coffin’s work has always captured the quiet poetry of rural life, and this autumn scene is no exception. In the painting done in 1995, the bold red of a male cardinal perched atop a weathered fence post draws the eye immediately. Just below,…
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Autumn Afternoon, Home
In Autumn Afternoon, Home, Merrill Coffin offers a rare glimpse into rural Americana through one of his few known paintings to feature a car. Known primarily for his vivid landscapes and portraits of small-town life, this work stands apart, both for its compositional choices and the quiet narrative it evokes.…
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Blood Bank
Jamestown Post Journal Cartoon January 22 – 1950s Editorial: “You Can’t Withdraw What is Not There” Life Giving BloodWhat other bank gives as much interest with such a small deposit?