Coffin Creations

Maine Artist Bruce Robert Coffin

 

              

From gun and badge to the brushes and paints

Sergeant Bruce Coffin of the Portland, Maine Police Department has been on the job for twenty-four years.  You might say that he has law enforcement in his blood.  Bruce has an uncle, cousin and brother-in law who are all police officers. 

Sgt. Coffin joined the Portland Police Department in 1985, and since that time has worked many different assignments, from patrol officer to traffic officer to detective.

In 1998, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and eventually returned to the Detective Bureau as a supervisor.

In 2004, Bruce was assigned to the Joint Terrorism Task Force where he worked with FBI, State and Local Investigators.

Although his career has seen many turns, there has been one constant: his love of art.

Bruce has been a professional artist for the past fifteen years.  What began as a way to combat the stress of police work has become a second career.

His subject matter varies greatly depending on what moves him at any given time.  Police work, however, has been a recurring theme.

Two of his most recent commissions were police related.

In 2007, Bruce was commissioned by both of the Portland Police Unions to create a portrait of a police roll call circa 1940.

The painting, titled "1940's Roll Call," depicts nine actual Portland Police Officers in the guard room of the original Portland Police Headquarters.

In 2008, Bruce was commissioned by the FBI National Academy Association New England Chapter (FBINAA) to create a portrait to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the FBI.

The painting, titled "Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity," is a tribute to Special Agent Edwin C. Shanahan, who in 1925 became the first agent killed in the line of duty.  Last December, the finished portrait was presented by the FBINAA to the Boston Division of the FBI, where it is now proudly displayed.

An award-winning artist, Bruce plans to continue painting long after retiring his badge.

You can see more of Bruce's work at www.coffincreations.com  

American Police Beat May 2009-

Copyright 2009 Bruce Robert Coffin