Dan Pollera – A Beloved Artist whose Work Evokes a Sense of Tranquility

Dan Pollera was an esteemed artist renowned for creating serene paintings. A beloved family man and prominent member in the local fishing community, his oil paintings of historic bay houses and coastal scenes can be found at several galleries and museums, such as MM Fine Art Southampton.

Early Life and Education

Daniel Pollera was born in 1953 in Freeport, New York. From an early age he took an interest in art, especially drawing and painting Long Island’s coastal landscapes. After enrolling at SUNY Farmingdale for Commercial Art studies but abandoning them to pursue fishing as his profession, Daniel Pollera eventually settled back down on Long Island to pursue fishing as his life goal.

Becoming a fisherman and clammer in Baldwin Harbor, New York provided him with invaluable experience to draw upon in his artwork, which conveys both nostalgia and melancholy in its imagery.

Pollera was predominantly self-taught but worked alongside Frances Norris Streit, a portrait and mural artist known for her 14′ x 30′ historical mural at Roslyn Savings Bank. Additionally, Pollera studied with Everett Molinari of the National Mural Society; his works can be found in collections like Long Island Museum, Parrish Art Museum Guild Hall Museum among many others.

Professional Career

Dan Pollera was an internationally acclaimed coastal landscape artist whose works can be found in numerous museum collections including Long Island Museum, Parrish Art Museum and Guild Hall Museum. While primarily using oil painting techniques he also utilized watercolor and pen and ink in his artwork.

Since 1977, his love of the sea inspired him to gain his captains license and start working as a boat tour guide on Long Island’s coast, providing visitors with an opportunity to admire its natural beauty first-hand. This career further solidified his affection for landscape painting; which ultimately lead to him returning back into painting once more.

Thomas has mostly taught himself but also collaborated with Frances Norris Streit, portrait and mural artist, on a 14’x 30′ historical mural for Roslyn Savings Bank. His paintings capture the essence of historic bay houses as well as picturesque coastal settings.

Achievement and Honors

Daniel Pollera is an esteemed coastal landscape painter. His paintings feature vivid realism that provoke emotion, mood, and calm within viewers, often grace boardrooms of organizations like IBM or even celebrity living rooms.

In 1977, he obtained his captain’s license and began offering boat tours along the Long Island coast, providing further opportunities to experience and explore the sea and its environs; which later served as inspiration for his paintings.

Worked alongside portrait and mural artist Frances Norris Streit on a 14’x 30′ historical mural for Roslyn Savings Bank; studied under Everett Molinari (president of National Mural Society); his artwork features historic bay houses, beach scenes, and even a single sailboat floating tranquil waters.

Personal Life

Dan Pollera was an esteemed community figure and respected figure within the local fishing scene, in particular his involvement in restoring simple flat bottom Garvey work boats.

In 1977 he attained his captains license and began providing boat tours along the Long Island coastline, gathering experience and visual knowledge that ultimately encouraged him to resume painting.

He assisted renowned portrait and mural artist Frances Norris Streit on a 14’x 30′ historical mural for Roslyn savings bank. Additionally, Everett Molinari, President of the National Mural Society was an important instructor.

Today, his works of tranquil beach scenes and historic bay houses evoke a sense of serenity and relaxation, while their crisp realism and strong moods create an almost melancholic aura.

Net Worth

Pollera was an extraordinary talent, revered in the community and beloved by all. His passing has left an immense void that will never be filled; his legacy lives on through his art as well as through all the fond memories it will evoke for friends, family members, and admirers. Born in 1953, he found solace and inspiration in Long Island’s coastal scenery, earning his captain’s license in 1977 and beginning a career giving boat tours along its coastline. He captured historic bay houses and coastal scenes through photography, which inspired his serene oil paintings of tranquil and breathtaking scenes. He studied under Frances Norris Streit (Portrait and Mural Artist) as well as Everett Molinari, President of the National Mural Society. His artwork has been displayed in multiple key galleries and museums such as MM Fine Art Southampton.