Fish On

This is a little self portrait of me fly fishing on the Green River. If I can't be there in person, I guess painting the experience is the next best thing!

Section B on the Green River

One of my favorite fly fishing destinations is the Green River in Eastern Utah. This scene is looking from our lunch spot on Section B of the river.

Hunter

This is the grandson of my good friend. He is six years old and already has the knack for fly casting ... amazing, eh?! What a fun project to do for their family!

Hooked

My young friend and his fiancé asked for this scene as a wedding gift ... so fun to paint for them. I hope they love it! Fly fishing with your sweetheart ... not much better than that!

Aquatherapy

There is something about the quiet solitude of a mountain stream that moves me. Being in these types of environments is synonymous with one of my passions ... fly fishing! This scene depicts the drama and serenity of the early morning rise of a wild trout. Enjoy ...

Red Canyon Overlook at the Flaming Gorge

The Flaming Gorge area of northeastern Utah is one of my favorite places in our beautiful state! I was commissioned to paint this beautiful scene of the Red Canyon Overlook for the new ICO Management offices in Lehi, Utah. The original was large ... 60"x48", so it was fun to paint to that scale! Enjoy ...

Good things come to those who "wade" ...

I love fly fishing the Green River. Maureen has come with me a couple of times and is a pretty good fly fisher, though she doesn't "love" it like I do. I used this as reference material for our group painting class in April. Enjoy ...

Generations

One of my good friends sent a photo to me of this dad and son surveying the launch site just before a float trip down the beautiful Green River. I thought it was a terrific opportunity to paint a tender scene in a beautiful setting. Hope you enjoy it!

Green River Grandeur

Those who know me well understand my love of this part of the world! Not only is the fly fishing world renown, the scenery is simply spectacular! I have painted several scenes along the Green River through the years ... I just can't get enough of this special place!

Mountain Meadow Creek Falls

This is a another study using a Yarnell "plein air" painting as reference material. I used a more impressionistic approach with the sky and background ... lots of fun! Wouldn't this be a great spot to cast a fly?!!

The "end" of the rainbow

A few months ago, one of my friends asked if I could paint an incredible rainbow scene from a photograph he had taken while on a fly fishing trip down the Green River. I enjoyed the opportunity, not only to paint the beautiful double rainbow, but to also paint the surrounding landscape as it is one of my favorite places on earth!

Several weeks later, it occurred to me that I could paint another version of the "end of the rainbow" ... my version! This is my favorite view of the end of the rainbow, just after I have released it back into the river! Enjoy ...

Fishing the shadows

The dramatic morning light in these high mountain lakes makes for a unique setting for a painting. I have always wanted to paint this scene, and finally took the opportunity. Acrylic on canvas 24"x18"

Solitude

This painting represents, for me, the solitude and grandeur of the fly fishing experience. I can't tell you where it is exactly (a cook never shares his "secret sauce" now does he!). It could be anywhere in Utah, Wyoming, Idaho or Montana ... one of my special places of solitude and relaxation. The fly fishing is legendary and the solitude extraordinary! Enjoy ...

Autumn Fly Fishing

I believe that my favorite month of the year is September ... for may reasons, but one of the defining ones for me is the great fly fishing the season affords! This little piece is another one of my fly fishing themed paintings. Ah, aqua therapy!

Hog Wallow above the Bridge rapid on the Green River

If you haven't had the opportunity to experience the grandeur and beauty of the Green River gorge just below the Flaming Gorge Dam in northeastern Utah, you need to add it to your bucket list of things to do! It is simply drop-dead gorgeous! When we fish the river from a drift boat, I usually get so concentrated on watching my fly on the water, that I have to continually remind myself to look up and take in all the beauties of creation that abound there. This scene is one of my favorite places to fish and to stop for lunch along the way. The unique turquoise-greenish color of the river water and the contrasting red cliffs above are breath-taking to say the least! Acrylic on canvas (gallery wrapped) (30" x 30")

Winter Light

I love the "low" light of winter. Though it brings snow and dreariness to the landscape, the long, cold shadows are very intriguing to me. Winter fly fishing, for me, is peaceful and quiet. I can usually find a place to fish without too much trouble (not too many other anglers out there!), and the fish are usually very willing to play! The deep blue-violet shadows are underwritten by the intensely contrasting evening light in this painting. Acrylic on canvas (30" x 22")

Reflections on the Rio Grande (near Alamosa, Colorado)

My boss, Jim Seaberg, commissioned me to paint this scene of his father fishing on the Rio Grande near Alamosa, Colorado. His father loves to flyfish but has not been able to do it much lately because of his failing health. Jim provided me with a home video of a couple of different fishing trips that he had taken with his dad so that I could get the feel of the area, his dad's mannerisms, etc. It was a real challenge, but I had a lot of fun developing this piece.

Some of the thoughts and feelings that I tried to portray:

He is perhaps seeing the river for the last time and has just entered the water …
He is pondering how best to fish the runs ahead and how to best fish this run ...
I love the contrast of the glow of light vs. the deep shadows.
The reflections are a big part of this composition as well ... memories.

Enjoy ...

Acrylic on canvas 36" x 24"