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 Pass. Their familiar sight is now just another memory. I must have listened to James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” 100 times while painting this piece. I just always thought I’d see these guys again.
In the blink of an eye, someone you love might be gone. Or the fishery you love might change. Or a million other things that you have no control over. I’ve created my painting “Richest Memories” of times that have become my richest memories of fishing in Boca Grande.
Hug those you love and tell them every time you have the chance. Catch a tarpon every time you have the chance. So much changes in the blink of an eye.
Tight lines and good luck to the 2019 WRTT field, and tight lines to all of you every day! Thank you for the memories we’ve created. Let’s go fishing and make some more!
With all the love in my heart,
Kelly
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© 2017 Kelly Reark, Bahamas RoyaltyPermit. 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 paint the sepia features. I st…
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 paint the sepia features. I st…
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