Hans Skalagard in his studio. (Photo by John Burgess.)

Petaluma artist Hans Skalagard, 86, found happiness mixing saltwater and oil paint.

Skalagard has produced some 3,500 painstakingly accurate nautical paintings since he created his first in 1943, while serving as a World War II merchant marine.

Starting this weekend, you’ll get a chance to see some of that work on public display.

“Taut Lines and Full Canvas: Pacific Coast Lumber Schooners,” opens with a reception at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 24, and runs through Sept. 5 at the Petaluma Museum, 20 Fourth St., Petaluma. The reception will feature sea chanteys with violinist Dorothy Barth.

More information: www.PetalumaMuseum.com.