Two MAHI MAHI watercolors sent to auction

These two brand new mahi mahi watercolor paintings were auctioned off at the West Palm Beach Fishing Club annual BBQ and awards banquet in south Florida. The BBQ is a huge event with awards given out for outstanding fishing throughout the year. Why did I choose them? They put great emphasis on traditions and are active advocates of initiatives that promote habitat protection and sustainable fishing. They give educational seminars and scholarships to kids, and since 2001 have donated more than 2,000 fishing rod/reel outfits to kids just to keep kids excited about protecting the marine environment so we can continue to experience the fishing that we all love!

Each of these ink and watercolor paintings are one-of-a-kind, 9x12 illustrations of one of my favorite fish to catch and um ... not release. Good thing they are some of the fastest growing fish in the ocean. Your only chance at these two is to attend the event this weekend!

Click here to learn more about the event.

© 2018 Kelly Reark, Mahi Food Fight. Watercolor and ink on 9x12 cold-pressed cotton paper.© 2018 Kelly Reark, The Three A-Mahi-Goes. Watercolor and ink on 9x12 cold-pressed cotton paper.

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2019 World's Richest Tarpon Tournament

Each year that I create the artwork for the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament , it is a very special honor to me. I love the Boca Grande fishery for so many reasons. The people I’ve fished with and the exhilaration of catching the mighty silver king are priceless. We are blessed to live in such a special place where the tarpon pile up and present us with the spectacle of huge rolling and feeding schools. Watching the crabs run on the tide or a fish evading a large and looming shadow of a bull or hammerhead are sights common here, unlike anywhere else. When I sit back in my chair on a drift off the pass, I often think about my previous tarpon experiences. Every single one was an event shared with friends and loved ones that I truly cherish. Fishing is as much about people and relationships as it is about the fish. This year is a year of setting sons for our fishery. A few of the boats and people that I grew up fishing with or ...

Bahamas Royalty

© 2017 Kelly Reark, Bahamas Royalty Permit. Acrylic on fiberglass fish mount (34" Permit) The idea for Bahamas Royalty came through looking at photos of my last trip to Marsh Harbour. A queen triggerfish, queen conch, queen angelfish, silver king ... so many royally beautiful fish from our daily dive! Having a marine biology background, I enjoy the research involved in preparing a work. I look at the entire ecology of the main subject: the habitat, lighting, supportive species, food source and biology. Days of sketching later, I settle on my idea and got to work with the paint. My process is to sketch multiple views of each creature or landmark. Then I use transparent paper to make an outline and work out the best placement on the fish mount. Many of my sketches and images are saved for another project because my ideas are usually too many for one fish mount. The next step is to antique the areas that I want to give that "old paper" look and to pai...

Metamorphosis

Since 2002, I have lived or worked on Gasparilla Island. The beautiful surroundings and Florida wildlife here have always inspired me. I grew up vacationing on the island - fishing here with my family. My father has captained a tarpon boat here every season since the 80's. Many of you know me from my work in the community as a luxury real estate agent. I took my position as a Realtor very seriously and successfully closed deals each year, bringing happiness to both buyers and sellers. To each person I have had the opportunity to work for or with, I am very thankful. It was for these customers that I was able to achieve the awards, leadership roles, and accolades that I did achieve as an agent. I've been an artist since I was a child, and professionally working as an artist for about 10 years in my time between real estate closings. In 2013, I have finally come to a position where I can follow my heart and pursue art full time. ...

Artist Kelly Reark

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