Kelly Reark on transforming a fish mount

Tarpon fever - What a transformation!

I spent a lot of time with this mini tarpon. It came from the 2003 World's Richest Tarpon Tournament captain's trophy. Through the years, it took a lot of sun and weathering. I used apoxie sculpting medium to patch the holes and chipped paint, and I sanded and sanded to make the body smooth again.

Several coats of paint followed several coats of primer, and I finished with four coats of high gloss sealing varnish. I completely changed the look of this tarpon because I wanted it to be a Boca Grande Pass tarpon. Using photos from fish caught here in the Pass, I gave him the seaglass green, gold and silvery hues we love to see flashing f...

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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

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