Forrest Rodts was born in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1960. Throughout his childhood he moved frequently with his family, but always spent his summers in Siasconset on Nantucket. Rodts traces his ancestry to some of the earliest settlers on the island. His family's home on the island was originally built by a whaling captain and has been passed down through the generations for more than 250 years.

The island became the most important influence on his painting during his early years. Generally considered a self-taught artist, Rodts graduated from Hobart College in upstate New York in 1983 with a B.A. Degree in Economics and a minor in Fine Arts. In 1982 he began showing his paintings with the Artist Association of Nantucket. In 1988 he set up his first full one-man show at the New Street Gallery in Siasconset. Since then Rodts has continuously exhibited on Nantucket, currently showing at the Robert Wilson Galleries.

Rodts' family ties to Martha's Vineyard are also strong, and for over 20 years he has explored the varied nature of that island in his paintings. The dramatic cliffs of Gay Head, the serene fishing village of Menemsha and the bustling sailing harbor of Edgartown are familiar scenes that come to life in his landscapes and seascapes. He has exhibited at the Granary Gallery in West Tisbury since 1990. Rodts is a member of The Copley Society of Boston, The Artist Association of Nantucket and the Marblehead Arts Association. Over the years he has won numerous awards from these organizations.

In 1994 Rodts moved from Boston to Marblehead, Massachusetts where he currently lives with his wife Linda. With a shared interest in architecture and historic preservation, they set about restoring an antique home, and now raise their two boys there. Rodts is an avid sailor and regularly races in the Wednesday Night Series in Marblehead. He is an active member of the Eastern Yacht Club.

Rodts finds Marblehead and the Cape Ann coast the ideal location for his study of sailing and of the complexities of water and light. His marine portraits exhibit a passion for maritime history. Through an exploration of his family's whaling past and our country's sailing tradition, Rodts captures the drama of breathtaking sunsets, explosive skies, sparkling blue seas and peaceful vistas. He combines color, light and meticulous draftsmanship in finely detailed acrylic landscapes, seascapes and still lifes that reflect his long-standing affection for the ocean and the serene New England coastline.