Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins at Sea

"Jerry's time at sea became the overwhelming influence on his life. He relished the camaraderie of the Navy, and the old sea-faring traditions of the sailor became subjects he celebrated in his work until his death. More importantly, the Navy took Jerry across the Pacific to China and Japan, a journey that sparked his lifelong interest in Asian art and culture and then deposited him in Hawai'i in the early 1930s. The tropical islands felt custom-made for Jerry. The constant flow of sailors through Hawai'ian ports kept Jerry connected to his beloved Navy while Honolulu's bustling Chinatown fed his fascination with Asian culture. Jerry decided to call Hawai'i his home."

- Excerpt from Homeward Bound: The Life And Times Of Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry
Available in the Sailor Jerry Shop