Don Stone 1929 - 2015 I first met Don Stone in 1998.

I was introduced to him by my friend Marilyn Swift when I visited Gloucester, Massachusetts - a town which is a haven for scores of brilliant artists. But I knew of Don Stone and his work long before I crossed the pond because he featured in a couple of books produced by Ron Ranson.

Firstly he featured in 'Modern Watercolour Impressionists' and then his work is covered in the sister volume produced by Ranson, 'Modern Oil Impressionists'.

Shortly after arriving in Gloucester, Marilyn took me a few miles down the road to Rockport to visit the Rockport Art Association where the work of many local artists past and present was on display, Dons' work was amongst the paintings on show. I guess I was ready to view work of a high standard but what I saw really knocked me for six.

The paintings were mainly oils, evidently he'd progressed from painting in watercolour and egg tempura and was now producing large, loose, colourful paintings with subjects ranging from fishing boats, schooners, seascapes, beach scenes, cliffs and crashing waves - a real diversity.

It turned out that Marilyn, a personal friend of Don had arranged to go and see the great man at his home in Exeter, New Hampshire. Couldn't wait! Don's home was one of several situated in a wooded area on the outskirts of Exeter.

By our standards it was large and the rooms were liberally hung with paintings many by the famous family Wyeth. His studio was a separate barn like building in the grounds with work in progress on the easel and many more canvases ready to go to exhibitions and galleries. It was a wonderland!

For over forty years Don had lived on the island of Monhegan off the coast of Maine for six months in the year. He held painting workshops there and I attended the very last one that Don ever conducted on the island. A rare privilege indeed!

Don was so highly regarded as an artist and a person that the course was over subscribed. That did not deter his admirers and friends from turning up. They just wanted to be there. And it wasn't just artists - Don was a brilliant banjo/mandolin player so that on the porch of his house on the evening when Don gave his final critique, there followed a musical evening - massed banjos/guitars/fiddles and a solo from Don - Abdul Abulbul Amir! Magic! That night on Monhegan was not the last time I spent in Don's company.

I painted with him in Tuscany and in Ireland. And in 2005 he came over to England to paint in North Yorkshire with me. It was a wet week unfortunately but extremely enjoyable - it was always good to be with Don.

Although he was a National Academician, prize winner and a member of numerous Art Societies in the States, he was a down to earth guy, in touch with the ordinary man in the street and he had a wicked sense of humour. It was a sad day when he died!