Sapphire

Bombay Sapphire - Recipe of 10 ingredients:  Almond, lemon peel, liquorice, juniper berries, orris root, angelica, coriander, cassia, cubeb, and grains of paradise.

Watercolor on coldpress paper 9x12

The name hints at the origins of the gin's popularity in the India of the days of the British Raj and the sapphire in question is the Star of Bombay on display at the Smithsonian Institution.  Bombay Sapphire is marketed in a flat-sided, sapphire-coloured bottle that bears a likeness of Queen Victoria on the label.

Native Feathers

A deviation of subject for me, "Native Feathers" was an interesting process. I haven't been focused on portraits or the figure in a long time, but will continue to challenge myself as I find subjects that move me.  I'd like to say the feathers in her hair pheasant tail for all of the fly fishing enthusiasts out there, and could probably make good materials for a tying a nymph.  Anyway, I've been inspired by the style of artist Michael Shapcott  His work is amazing and I wanted to be able to capture a similar mood.

Watercolor on cold press - 11" x 15"

As I worked on this painting, I didn't know what to expect.  I continually loosened up my style as I progressed through the different stages.  I think the most important aspect is the mood that the eyes create.  She has a look that I can not explain.  So, here she is.  Hopefully, I'll continue to challenge my style and bring more pieces like this to the stage.

Scott Howell's Squidro Summer Series

Recently, a true veteran of the sport of fly fishing created a new fly called the Squidro.  Scott Howell, a guide in Southern Oregon, has over 20 years and over 300 days a year of river time under his belt.  This fly is something else and was exclusively created for Leland Fly Fishing.  I thought it would be a great subject to paint.

Watercolor on coldpress

 

Watch Scott Howell in this video explain the uses for the Squidro and you will no doubt want to try on of these bad boys.  If you want to pick one up, you can only get them at Leland - click the banner at the bottom of this post.  Also, if you are in Scott's territory and looking for help getting into some (COWS) fish, here is Scott Howell Fishing

                       

The Painting in the studio

Get your Squidro here at Leland :

Friday in the Valley

Brushing off the cobwebs of a long, cold, wet winter my friend and I bailed from work had a "business" meeting in the afternoon. We headed into historic Valley Forge Park to try our luck on a stretch of Valley Creek that I had not fished before.  It was a beautiful day accompanied by a gorgeous stretch of water.  After a little investigating and a few run-ins with hissing Canadian Geese protecting their nests, we started to see what seemed like a sulfur hatch coming off around 4:00.  

We had a few of the feisty native browns hitting our nymphs earlier in the day, then they started hitting a combination of emergers and dry flies.  I used this little olive pattern (see below) with a gray wing and we started to see some action.  These fish were literally jumping out of the water making me tingle every time.  I had this 13 inch brown jump over my fly like a horse at a steeple chase.  Finally we had some luck and brought in a couple of fish.  We were very happy and look forward to our next "business" meeting together.

 The End.

Opening Day Brown

I thought Opening Day of Trout Season in South Eastern PA would be a good subject to introduce a new painting that I recently completed.  This Brown Trout has the gaping "stranded" look after being caught and held by the angler to model for the photo.  I also included the circular water reflections picked up by the camera as I feel it ads a sense of depth.

Watercolor on Cold Press - 12" x 14"

This brown is loosely modeled after a trout I found on Flickr.com from user:

Flikr - mdoughty68 You should also check out his Blog, as he's got some fantastic photos and subjects, not to mention is a Patriot of the US Military: Trout Tripper

Speaking of Opening Day...yesterday the family and I packed up and headed to a good friends house to enjoy and opening day brunch.  Our freid's house is located on tha banks of Darby Creek in Newtown Square PA and provides excellent access to the river.  We were actually a day late on the river (opening day was Saturday) and I think the fish were all gone.  We were fishing downstream from a hoard of spinners who were slapping the water.  I did see a few trout, but they were not interested in the brunch I was serving up.  It was good to break the gear out for the first time this season and I look forward to doing more of the same this spring and summer.  Here's a shot of the back of my rig with all of my gear lined up..perhaps a good panitng subject.  (Send me your gear shots if you have some good ones)

Have a great  season!

It's Over. I've lost the Mojo.

I wanted to officially announce my retirement from painting and most things artistic.  I've had an "ok" run at it over the past few years, but have come to realize that I don't much enjoy it anymore.  As some of you may have noticed, I haven't posted anything in a while and that is no coincidence.  I'm not sure creating art has any meaning any more...at least for me.  Perhaps taking this step will cause the value of my existing paintings to increase?  I don't really care. 

I guess you could say I'm satisfied with what I've accomplished so far and don't need to prove anything anymore.  I have also decided that I need to fill the time with something else, so I have given much thought and talked it over with my wife. and decided to get more involved with dance.  My wife is a ballet dancer and it has always been something I wanted to try.  She goes to ballet once a week and we have agreed that I will join her at her next class.  I am looking forward to it.  Perhaps I can post some pictures and video.


Cheers,
April Fools.

I'm working on a few paintings now and hope to get back into the groove to post many more soon.
Stay tuned.
Peter

(Also...to give credit where credit is due...I got my "it's over" idea from by buddy here River Bum