Frank S. Welles

South Berwick, ME - After a brief illness, Frank Sutherland Welles, 86, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2023, at Wentworth Douglas Hospital, with his daughter by his side.
Frank was born in Mexico City, raised in New York City, and graduated from Nyack High School in 1955. He was one of three children born to the late Mildred Sutherland and Halsted Welles and is survived by his brother, Halsted Sutherland Welles. Frank attended Duke University, where he studied sociology and found his love of fine arts painting. Over the years, Frank lived along the East and West coasts but had strong ties to the art communities in Garnerville, NY and Chapel Hill, NC. Most recently, he lived on the seacoast of NH near his beloved daughter, Kathryn Duncan, his grandchildren, Elias and Fiona Duncan, and his stepdaughter, Karil Reibold.
Frank lived an awe-inspiring life and was unapologetically known for his big personality and eccentricities. As a fine artist and painter, Frank's work has been successfully exhibited throughout the United States. His goal of any exhibition was not for his art to merely be observed, but for the audience to participate through an emotional relationship with his imagery. As a true artist, everything Frank touched became a creative expression.
Frank was the developer and founder of Sutherland Welles Ltd, a high end, low toxicity line of wood care and finishing products. His passion for wood and quest for the perfect way to stain and finish it, led him to a very successful 50-year career. As a master wood finisher, he was fondly called "The Floorman", and with a prominent residential and celebrity client list, Frank was known as the Leonardo da Vinci of floors.
Frank's infectious laughter and irreplaceable spirit filled any room he entered. His view of the world was like that of no other, and his poignant observations were unparalleled. Frank was a life source for those that loved him, and over the years, he touched the lives of countless individuals. He will forever be remembered and truly missed by his friends and family, who loved him dearly. As he would have wanted, an abundant celebration of his life will follow in the coming months. Memorial donations may be made to the Art Students League of New York, www.artstudentsleague.org/support.