Ivan Aivazovsky. The Black Sea. 1881

The Black Sea (Ivan Aivazovsky, 1881)

One of the reasons that Aivazovsky painted so many seascapes is that he was the official painter of the Russian Navy, which would be a good reason for anyone to specialise in such. This appears to be painted from the point of view of the artist being on ship going AWAY from the shore.  

Ivan Aivazovsky. Clouds over the Sea on a Still Day. 1889

Clouds over the Sea on a Still Day (Ivan Aivazovsky, 1889)

This is apparently a picture that Aivazovsky painted whilst he was on shore, looking out to sea. Bill, you could do the same. Of course, you would be looking at the Pacific, not the Black Sea, but, one takes what one can get.