CHARLES (DI) ATHAS (80) OBITUARY
Charles “Dimetrious” Athas, a native of Salem, Massachusetts studied at the University of California Berkeley specializing in commercial design and illustration, but his love of boats and the sea soon led him to painting. In 1976 Athas switched his medium to painting with oils, painting luminous realistic scenes of catboats, sloops and schooners – the remaining splendors of sail –which he felt records their beauty for future generations.
Each season Di participated in many races so that he could accurately portray each race in his paintings. The final intention was to bring to the viewer the feel of wind in the sails and the drama of the seas. He also worked on landscapes and wildlife paintings.
Athas was a board member of the AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MARINE ARTISTS and was a past vice-president of INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF MARINE PAINTERS. Images of his paintings have been reproduced in 2000 thru 2010 “Art of the Sea” calendar – National Maritime Historical Society, Cover of the Friendship Sloop Society’s yearbook 2000, “Sea Classics”, “American Art Review”, “Antiques and Fine Art”, “Down East”, “Marine Boats and Harbors”, “A Gallery of Marine Art” by Rockport Publishing and “Bound For Blue Water” by Greenwich Workshop. Dimetrious Athas was among a select few marine artists included in the American Art Museum Library at the Smithsonian Institution.
Di recently passed away peacefully in Beverly MA. His endearing gift for friendly gab and humor will be missed greatly. At his request his ashes were spread over the Atlantic Ocean. He leaves his former wife Bonnie Mercier, his brother Arthur Athas, Irene Athas his sister, nieces Monique Goldberg, Emily Ciconne and Sarah Brennan-Athas, great nephew Aleksander Goldberg, and great nieces Ella and Corinna Ciconne.