Alan J. Eddy was born in South Boston and attended the Vesper George School of Art in Boston. A scholar of New England maritime history, the artist has felt connected to the sea and the ships that sail upon her. His father spent over 50 years in the U. S. Navy and Merchant Marines. His uncle Walter built wooden boats and together the three would often go sailing to the off-shore islands of Boston Harbor. All these early years of sailing helped the artist to realistically portray the action of the sea and wind . these elements effect the posture of the sailing yachts. Running with the wind, close hauled, the various reaches etc. In the years that followed, as he began to make marines his main focus and passion, these early experiences with his dad and uncle were invaluable in the execution of his marine paintings. To paint marine scenes you have got to be a sailor. You have got to feel how the wind moves, how it affects the sea and the boat. Otherwise, it is impossible to build a painting that is technically correct. Every painting to me is an adventure--setting the mood of the sea and sky and thus of the painting. There are no short-cuts, it is 5% inspiration and 95% hard work.

American Artist Magazine has published 3 major articles on the artist work- December 1997, June 1999 and May 2001 in the American Artist publication- "Color". The artist was also published in the January 2004 "Good Old Boat" magazine.

Eddy has been influenced by the 19th Century American Luminists: Fitz Hugh Lane, Martin Johnson Heade and Frederick Church. He would make countless trips into the Boston Museum of Fine Arts to study their works. He has exhibited at the Mystic, CT International Marine Art shows. The artist has also exhibited at the American Watercolor Society and National Academy of Design Galleries in New York City. Also the Copley Society in Boston.

In addition to painting Nostalgic historical yachting scenes and portraits of the tall, majestic, classic J-Boats, Eddy paints landscapes, coastal scenes, figurative and still-life paintings. These images are filled with a breath-taking luminosity. The artist work can be found in corporate collections around the world. He also has a faithful circle of private collectors.