Windham Independent 2006

Coming into His Own

Windham artist "counting the days" until he trades his badge for a paintbrush

By Don Perkins

Bruce Robert Coffin could be living the double-life of a modern day superhero - as a Portland police detective with the FBI's terrorist task force he fights crime by day, but at any other time you'll probably find him painting.

Has he saved the world with his paintbrush? Not exactly. But Coffin has brought joy to lives of many with his work. Just three years from retirement, it's a pursuit the 42-year-old Windham resident is eager to start doing full-time. Soon, Coffin will leave the detective badge behind. "I'm counting the days," he said, until he can identify himself fully with a paintbrush.

Currently, Coffin is showing his artwork downstairs at Akari, a spa located at 468-470 Fore Street in Portland. The exhibit is collection of paintings in various mediums and subjects. From a watercolor of an old rusting pickup truck at forest's edge to an oil work of a bartender in Massachusetts, there's something for all tastes.

A self-taught painter with artists on both sides of his family, Coffin has been plying his brush for about 15 years. He's shown over twenty times at various galleries in the past, including frequent showings at the Little Sebago Gallery and Frame in North Windham. The exhibit at Akari is his second solo show.

Coffin said he likes bringing joy to folks through his work. He does commissioned pieces, like of people's homes and kids. A memorable gig was painting "Captain Buckwheat," a lobsterman's dog. "This tiny little fuzz ball was his favorite thing in the whole world," Coffin said. The painter said he heard the man was pretty choked up at happy hour when the painting was unveiled. "That's how you know you win," Coffin said.

An upcoming commission on his list is a takeoff on the intro to the former TV show "My Three Sons." A father of three sons told Coffin he'd like a painting of the three sets of legs, each dressed to represent one of his kids. "One is a Marine," said Coffin. "So, I'll do the dressed pants with the stripe down the side, etc."

It's this unique work that Coffin said is one reason he loves creating art. Juggling two lives - hard boiled detective and creative artist - has each side of Coffin's brain working overtime. At times he's had to prioritize. "I love to paint," Coffin said. "I'm totally at peace with myself (while painting). I've actually taken weeks of vacation just to paint."

When Coffin does find time for art - which he says is all the free time he can get - it's an escape. He searched for words to explain what creating art is like and said they're hard to find. "It's like kids playing video games," he said. "When I paint, I'm oblivious to everything around me."

For information on the Akari exhibit, call 772-9060. Coffin's work can also be viewed online at coffincreations.com.

Windham Independent December 2006-