Maine and Monhegan Island Art

Born in New York City, Phelan was a landscape painter who studied with Winslow Homer’s instructor, Frederick Rondel. Phelan exhibited his work at the National Academy of Design from 1880 to 1882, and at the Brooklyn Art Association in 1879 and 1882. Phelan traveled throughout New England, capturing the countryside and became well known for his images of sheep. Phelan had a spontaneous style verging upon impressionism which worked well with his chosen subject matter.