Fortunately, Diane Beeston has an unlimited supply of boats to inspire her paintings. Submitted photo

SEASIDE – The Gilbert District Gallery will feature a new exhibit of artwork by Diane Beeston, one of the original owners of the gallery which opened in Seaside three years ago.

Originally a marine photographer in the San Francisco Bay area for almost 30 years and with a book, “Of Wind, Fog and Sail,” under her belt, along with many magazine covers and advertisements, she has widely been referred to as the West Coast successor to Morris Rosenfeld, the renowned marine photographer of the first part of the 20th century.

In 1988, she abandoned photography, moved to Astoria and returned to her true love, which is painting. Living and working in a condominium built on pilings over the waterfront, Beeston’s love of the maritime scene has flourished. Now, as ships of all kinds pass no more than 50 yards away in front of her windows, she paints her colorful acrylics every day in what she calls “my messy but cosily comfortable studio.”

Her exhibit can be seen at the Gilbert District Gallery at 613 Broadway. There is an opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, in conjunction with Seaside’s First Saturday Art Walk, and the exhibit will run through August.