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 days: Capt. Lamar Joiner Jr., Searene - $20,000

First place with five total releases in two days: Capt. Sandy Melvin, Boca Blue - $30,000

There were 20 tarpon released in the two-day tournament, 25 boats in the field.

Thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers, Chamber board members, captains and anglers, and congratulations to the winners!

Click to watch Boca Grande Television coverage

For those of you who purchased reproductions of my work, here is a quick video about how to make your art stay flat for framing.

Click to watch YouTube: How to Reverse Roll Artwork

https://mailchi.mp/2fc521c7e067/wet-paint-reark-903473

Artist Kelly Reark
www.KellyReark.com
www.KellyReark.FRIOicechests.com
www.TattooedTarpon.com

Comments

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

Search This Blog