This new painting is one of my favorites. I have been obsessed with an image of a permit that my friend John Hohl of Alaska Fly Anglers had shared with me some time ago from his trip fishing for permit in Mexico.
John always captures the most beautiful photos, and this image imparts on me a feeling of peace and calm…with a mix of excitement as well. The dorsal fin on the permit is just so dynamic! And I love how the shape of this fish creates its own composition at the water’s surface.
“Permit Notion”, 36″ x 36″, oil on canvas. Gallery
I love painting those aggressive fish! There is something about the look in their eye…
This particular painting found the fish blending in and out of the background, I love the look- it is quite representational yet I keep looking at those beautiful greens as if maybe there is something else to see behind the forms of the tarpon’s face. Sort of fun to think about…
Surfacing Brown, 16″ x 16″, oil on canvas. See all available works for sale in the Gallery
2 of my favorite things…make that 3:
Art, MidCurrent…and Coffee! I just received my first bag of MidCurrent’s new “Morning Hatch” dark roast coffee and could not wait to grind ‘n brew! I may have to confess I’ve become a bit of a coffee snob over the years, and these beans live up to their name- full flavor but smooth, rich taste- definitely looking forward to brewing my afternoon cup (or two!) What an honor to have my art, “Brookie”, grace the packaging of such fine coffee.
Be sure to pick up a bag for yourself or as a gift for your coffee loving fly fishing friends at MidCurrent.com
I’m lucky to meet many enthusiastic anglers who like to send me photos of their (#1) amazing catches and (#2) amazing destination trips they go on. Patrick Robinson of Steelhead Alley Outfitters was kind enough to let me know of a beautiful arctic char from his trip to Alaska this year. I’ve kept his photo on my inspiration wall for months and now it has finally made it to canvas…the result is a vibrant play on the natural colors and patterns of the spawning arctic char.
See it here in the Gallery.
Brook Trout Spots, 2, 40″ x 30″, oil on canvas. Commissioned.
A stunning work of pure color…thanks to the brook trout of course! This painting was a joy to create. Be sure to see it in the Gallery.
Latest commission work: Brook Trout (Glance), 2. Oil on canvas, 30″ x 42″.
I’m having a blast creating these special one-of-a-kind paintings! For this painting, my client really liked the original Brook Trout (Glance) composition- see it here in the Gallery- but wanted a larger sized painting to fit his space. What is great about this scenario, is that the client ultimately gets their own original work of art based from a composition they are already comfortable with, but get special “tweaks” made just for them. This version of glance contains even more variation of color than the first- a very elegant play on dark and light- with a combination of navy and bronze to create the dark areas, and then electric flecks of blues, greens, yellows, and reds pop this brook trout to life! Stunning. I’m enjoying watching this one dry…it will be missed!!
Brown Trout Abstract, 2 (Commissioned)
This painting was commissioned by a client who loved my work, but desired something more abstract as a centerpiece for her new living room. As we discussed the parameters of what she was looking for, she wanted the painting to tie in to her brick red kitchen and convey a strong feeling of movement.
Since I work in a range of abstraction, we narrowed down some of my previous paintings that were favorites. Naturally my Brown Trout Abstract was one of the top picks (I already knew the colors of the brown trout would fit perfectly for her needs!) and this also helped give me a sense of how abstract I could push things to fit her taste. Below is a collection of some imagery that helped inspire this painting to come to life:
The photo of the fish jumping was my main compositional inspiration- such power, fluidity, and aggression- it felt like a wonderful sense of movement for a vertical canvas…then the colors and patterns of the brown trout itself made its way into the work, as well as the coloring of a beautiful fall landscape. In the end, this painting is about the trout, water, the sky, and our own personal interpretation of that inexplicable beauty; the power of nature.
Sunlit Bass, 16″ x 20″, acrylic on canvas, $700.
I’ve had way too many requests to paint a smallmouth bass not to have one in the gallery! Finally after months of images on my wall, I chose to concentrate on the skin and distinct dorsal fins of the smallmouth. The amber-olive colors really come out in the sun, so I worked to inject those colors here. Definitely more to come from this species…
Let me know what you think!
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