Thursday, June 30, 2011

Drawing Fish 52_26 Smallmouth (Bronzeback) Bass


Drawing Fish 52_26 Smallmouth (Bronzeback) Bass

Original status: Available, email me for details..

Swing by Jason's blog to see his rendition of the bronzeback!

Tech Info- Sharpie, watercolor, gouache and pastel

I really dig fishing for these beauties in my home waters of the Fox River! Either by swing a Ralphies Minnow with the 6 weight or under a float when the water is high is always a good time.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Best in Show


I exhibited at the annual Art On The Fox Festival over Father's Day weekend. I was honored with a First Place Best In Show Ribbon! Totally unexpected.

To read more about the event, click here and here.

Be sure to check out the photos from the event.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Atightloop Magazine


Swing by Atightloop .com to check out the premier issue of this new Midwest Fly-fishing oriented e-zine. Stuart and Kurt have put together a great issue and look to expand the offerings on upcoming issues.

I am honored to have been interviewed for the premier issue. Swing by Page 63 to read the interview and click on the link to watch the interview at the end of the article.

Be sure to sign up and subscribe to future issues.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Drawing Fish 52_25 Yellowstone Cutthroat



Drawing Fish 52_25 Yellowstone Cutthroat

Original status: Available, email me for details..

Swing by Jason's blog to see his rendition of a Yellowstone Cutthroat!

Tech Info- Sharpie, watercolor, gouache and pastel

This is a memorable fish for me. In 2008 we packed up the family and the camper and headed to Yellowstone. After a bit of sight seeing, we decided to do a bit of fishing in the Yellowstone river. I had the family all spread out at the Nez Pierce access. I looked across the river and I could see fish constantly rising. The river was a bit high and I had a short deep section that I had to navigate. I felt confident with all of the steelhead wading I have done in the past. It was a tough slow wade, but it was worth it. I found a gravel shoal up stream of the rising fish. I stayed put for quite some time, mesmerized by the rising fish. I tried to determine what they were feeding on. made a nice cast and drifted the fly right over them. Nothing. They still continued to rise. I tried a few more casts with no success. To make a long story short, I tried just about everything in my box with no success. I decided to throw on a Royal Wulff. I had never caught a fish on this pattern, even thought I have tied a dozen or so and I know that in my heart it is a tried and true pattern. The proceeded to implement a parachute cast and let the Wulff drift right into their feeding lane. BAM! I set the hook and held on. It took a bit of chasing and dealing with the swift current, but I finally landed that beautiful cut. I was able to get close to shore so that my wife Janine could snap a few shots before the release.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Drawing Fish 52_24 Crappie


Drawing Fish 52_24 Crappie

Original status: Available, email me for details..

Swing by Jason's blog to see his rendition of a crappie!

Tech Info- Sharpie and pastel on cardboard

I had a different approach in mind then what I ended up with. I will try this different technique on a future fish installment. Sketched out the crappie with a Sharpie on a piece of cardboard. I then went in with pastels to add colors and value.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Drawing Fish 52_23 Leopard Rainbow


Drawing Fish 52_23 Leopard Rainbow

Original status: Original and prints are available email me for information.

Swing by Jason's blog to check out his rendition of his Leopard Rainbow!

Tech Info- Watercolor, Pastel and Gouache on Arches 140 lbs watercolor paper

This is the heavily-spotted form of the Alaskan Rainbow. Just started sketching with my pencil, then came in with washes and gouache details. Feeling a bit tight with this one. The brushes did not dance the way I would prefer. Adding the pastel helped to pull it together. There is always next week.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Drawing Fish 52_22 Permit

Drawing Fish 52_22 Permit

Tech Info- Sharpie, Watercolor and Gouache

Thanks to all that emailed your responses to Jason and myself. We did accept either the answer Permit or Pompano. So I gathered all of the correct answers and put them in a hat. My lovely wife will now pick the winner. And the winner of this Permit painting is......Donna L!
Donna - I sent you an email so that you can provide your mailing address. Thanks to all for entering and congratulations to Donna L!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Drawing Fish 52_22 Mystery Fish


Drawing Fish 52_22 Mystery Fish

Original status: Original will be sent to one lucky winner.

Swing by Jason's blog to receive an additional clue of the mystery fish!

Tech Info- Sharpie, Watercolor and Gouache

We are going to try something a bit different this week. As you can tell, I did not reveal what fish it was. You only get a small glimpse. Now for the fun part. Send me or Jason an email with your guess as to what the fish is. All of the correct guesses will be put into a hat and a winner pulled. The winner will be announced on Tuesday (6-7-11) when the full images are revealed. The winner will receive my original painting of this mystery fish. Deadline is Monday (6-6-11) by midnight CDT to email your guess. 1 guess only, no multiple guesses will be allowed. Good Luck! You can also receive another hint as to the fishes identity at Jason's Blog.