Neal Hughes was born on the east coast and became involved in painting and sailing at a very young age. His early work often included subjects experienced at weekend regattas and vacations from Maine to Florida. He went on to graduate from the Philadelphia College of Art (University of the Arts) and his work has been influenced by the American impressionists such as John Singer Sargent and Daniel Garber, and by other American masters such as Thomas Eakins and Winslow Homer.

He has worked as a freelance illustrator and painter and has done work for such clients as Random House, Penguin Books, Scholastic Publishing, Dell Books, Bantam Books, Henry Holt and Company, Rohm and Haas, Chilton Publishing, Smith Kline Beecham, NFL Films, The Opera Company of Philadelphia, Arden Theater Company, CMAC Investment Company, Columbia Gas, Pennsylvania Department of Tourism, The American College of Physicians, The Franklin Mint, BBD&O Advertising, Dupont, Exide, and many others.

Neal’s work has appeared at The Society of Illustrators show in NY, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, The University Art Gallery/Museum at Western Illinois University, Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial, Garden State Watercolor Society, The Philadelphia Art Institute, The Philadelphia College of Art as well as many galleries and one man shows. His work has recently appeared in “A Gathering Of Marine Masters” exhibition at the Art of the Sea Gallery.

His work has also been published in Print Magazine, Graphis, The Annual of the Society of Illustrators and other professional publications.

He has also completed numerous private commissions as well as major commissions for the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team and The National Civil War Museum.

Neal is a member of the American Society of Marine Artists and the National Maritime Historical Society.