| Francis J. Quirk | ||
| Birth Date: June 3, 1907 |
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| Death Date: February 5, 1974 Artist Gallery |
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| In the words of Francis J. Quirk: “The subject is actually an off-island shrimper, skipper of the boat ‘Conqueror’ and I believe, major owner of that typical shrimping vessel. I do know his last name. He was called ‘Brown-Lee’ or ‘Brownie’ by the local people in the Savannah suburb which was his home port.
Tall, handsome, alert, he was informative rather than loquacious. His efficiency and secure understanding of nature and people, as well, fortified the respect which he enjoyed among his fellows. Mr. Brown-Lee did not pose formally for the figure, which is rather expressive than representative.
My thinking was to capture him at that time of weather and seas analysis that is the practice of the fishermen as they plan their day to day activities.
The atmosphere before dawn fog burns off or rises is precious in the Savannah area, and possesses its own colors in sort of ‘impressionistic’ manner. Morning light seems to possess sharper complimentary qualities on its impact with material, and is recognized in the ‘Shrimper – Early Morning’ with yellows and purples describing form. The luminescent background is characteristic, and is more full at a height than near the ground, suggesting burning off as against fog lifting. Indeed, it is not always possible to distinguish between fog and haze although the local people frequently use the term ‘haze’ for an evening effect rather than morning.”
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