Artist Kelly Reark

Announcement! The World's Richest Tarpon Tournament artwork "Silver Lining" is available as a signed poster at the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce starting today! To purchase poster art, Tervis tumblers, or sport fishing shirts, visit  https:// bocagrandechamber.com/  or call 941-964-0620. I am also releasing a limited edition of the fine art (no tournament text). There are just a few pieces on display throughout Boca Grande and I am taking orders through June 14 to fill before Father's Day. Orders reserved after June 14 will not be available to pickup before Father's Day. Reply to this email with questions or to request an artwork reservation.  The original painting is 36x48 inches. The original is available, framed ($6,000). A special edition giclée on canvas, remarked (painted on), of 10 pieces signed and numbered, in size 30x40 will be sold framed or gallery-wrapped for $900. A limited edition of 50 signed and numbered pieces in size 30x40 will be sold fr...

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... To read the rest of this newsletter or to subscribe, please click here. https://mailchi.mp/9199c74d4589/wet-paint-reark-5028030

Boca Grande Lady is one of my favorite surrealist pieces and the first painting I did specifically for the Boca Grande "Ladies Day" fishing tournament. The softness of that hibiscus flower with the tarpon and the sepia tones together make the perfect masculine and feminine mix. This one looks great in any office or room that has wood accents. Artist Kelly Reark   www.KellyReark.com   www.KellyReark.FRIOicechests.com   www.TattooedTarpon.com

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...

Are those tarpon scales real silver? It sure would seem that way! Congratulations to Alex Shouppe's team on the HEY MOMA! with Captain Wayne Joiner for their $32,400 first place win in the 2017 World's Richest Tarpon Tournament. Captain Wayne also took home the Jay Joiner Memorial Belt Buckle. The first fish caught and second place prizes went to the Wise team aboard Captain Charlie Coleman's CASUARINA. Combined winnings collected by Howard Wise's team amounted to $48,600. Captain Nat Italiano and SPOOK hosted Howard Franklin's team. They caught the last fish of the tournament and won $27,000. Nat joked with me that their fish was probably worth about $1,500 per inch. Maybe an exaggeration, but still proving it doesn't have to be a record-setting fish to win a record-setting prize.  Goodbye, my love. Many of you braved the heat to catch up with me at the Boca Grande Invitational Art Festival, and I am SO thankful for that! Great to ...

Break Out the Big Guns ... It's time for the World's Richest Tarpon Tournament! I am proud to announce that my artwork will represent the 2017 World's Richest Tarpon Tournament this week. First prize in last year's WRTT was $39,000 (prize amount depends on the number of boats). There's also a rodeo-winning-cowboy-sized belt buckle up for grabs. I am sure it would look great on a shelf, but can you imagine the looks if you were to sport that baby with a Columbia and some flipflops? The tournament is Thursday and Friday, May 25-26. To go along with the tournament and silver king celebration, I will be participating with approximately 50 other marine wildlife artists in the invitational fine art festival in downtown Boca Grande. My brand new Tattooed Turtle shell will be on display during the event. The art festival is Friday and Saturday from 10 am - 4 pm. If you haven't purchased your 2017 WRTT Tervis tumbler or fishing shirt, they are in short supp...