June 12, 2013 — As part of WCAI's exploration of the future New England's fisheries, we're talking to the many people who are intertwined with the culture of fishing. They may be fishermen, scientists or – in this case – an artist. Joseph Warren is a painter who grew up around the ocean in Massachusetts. His paintings are reflections of his love for the sea, and feature fish, whales and other sea life.
Where in Massachusetts did you grow up?
Brookline is my hometown, but I was also very lucky to spend portions of my summers in Woods Hole and the coast of Maine. My great grandparents were Dr. Edward Browning Meigs and Margaret Wister Meigs.
My great grandfather used to be involved with MBL.
This is on my mother's side of the family. As a result, I was very lucky to inherit 1/12th of a Woods Hole house that is shared with my aunts, uncle, and many cousins. I've been going for 28 years.
What is your earliest memory of fish or the ocean?
My first clear memories of fish come from my time as a seven year old enrolled in the Seashore Life class at The Children’s School of Science in Woods Hole, MA. We clambered about the rocks, hunting for crabs by dangling chicken drumsticks from string. We also collected other various small fishes and invertebrates for a class aquarium, which were a great source of pride at parents night before all the specimens were returned to their original environments at summer’s end.