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World's Richest wrap-up and Boca Invitational

2019 © Kelly Reark, RICHEST MEMORIES. Acrylic on canvas (36x48). Photo credit: Boca Beacon Thank you so very much for coming out and visiting with me at the Boca Grande Invitational this past weekend. Listening to all of your positive feedback about my new paintings, and they way that the tournament artwork brought about memories for you made me grateful that I could touch so many of you. This fishery really is a family. Yes, many are related by blood and marriage. There's so much more to it than that. I'd venture to say that nowhere in the world has our kind of community friendship and love. Thank you for sharing your stories with me.  Results of the 2019 World’s Richest: First tarpon of the first day: Capt. Sandy Melvin, Boca Blue - $12,500 Last tarpon of first day: Capt. Wayne Joiner, Hey, Moma! - $12,500 First tarpon and last tarpon of second day: Capt. Lamar Joiner Jr., Searene - $25,000 Second place with four total releases in two
Tarpon week in Boca Grande ... The week of June 3, 2019 is an exciting week for all of us on the island. There are so many events surrounding the 37th Annual World's Richest Tarpon Tournament. I attend all of the tournament events and I unveil my newest original paintings at the Boca Grande Invitational Art Show. Carroll Swayze created another amazing lineup of world-class talent for the 2019 Boca Grande Invitational. The central streets of downtown are lined with white tents of artists known for their nautical and coastal wildlife works in every medium from glass and sculpture to painting and jewelry. You can see my 2018 and 2019 WRTT artworks side-by-side during the event. It's a special event where you can shop to live music and grab a bite to eat at one of the iconic downtown stops. In brief, here is our schedule of events: Monday is the Grande Tradition event, Tuesday is the Sponsor Reception, Wednesday is the Captains Party, and Fishing is on Thursday and Friday. Fr

Shirt Launch

In March, 2019, Kelly launched a line of wearable artwork in a collaboration with FRIO Ice Chests and Visual Promotions brand. Visit  https://kellyreark.frioicechests.com  to check out all of the designs. New items added regularly - follow Kelly on Instagram and Facebook for product launches.  Wholesaler opportunities - please inquire - www.kellyreark.com Reigning Silver  Tarpon Hammerhead Hide Buy some new gear! Cool info about my shirts: The solar performance long sleeve shirt offers superior sun protection and performance qualities featuring UPF 50+ solar protection. This long sleeve tee is lightweight, comfortable, and extremely durable. The fabric features moisture-wicking technology developed to keep you dry while you are out on the water. UPF 50+ 100% Polyester Interlock Moisture Wicking  Odor Resistant  Stain Release Technology  Ultra Tight Knit Resists Snagging Generously sized with ample sleeve length  Hand

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 next to will no longer be in the P

Feature in Boca Beacon

Click here to read an article published by the Boca Beacon in Boca Grande, FL. Thank you, Boca Beacon, for the feature of my artwork. Artist Kelly Reark www.KellyReark.com www.TattooedTarpon.com www.WaterfrontKelly.com

On the Edge of Peace

2019 © Kelly Reark, ON THE EDGE OF PEACE. Acrylic on canvas (24x30). I hope you’ve been following me on social media ( facebook and Instagram ) to see the start-to-finish time lapse videos I’ve released.The 20 to 30 second tidbits give an idea of how I work a canvas. I have compiled 50+ hours of video into about 7 minutes so that you can watch it all at once. I posted it to YouTube ( Click to view ). Right now, there's some background music. The pollen, weird weather, and red tide have combined in a perfect storm and struck me down. I am a wheezy, coughing asthmatic mess. As soon as my voice returns and I stop coughing, I can dub the audio with commentary on my process. If you have any questions that you’d like me to answer during my video, send them to me now! This art represents the PReaCH campaign. We launched the artwork at the Peace River Revival in Punta Gorda on March 30. PReaCH is dedicated to bringing resource protection awareness to, and advocacy for,