Strid Art

In A Daydream

2012-02-09T11:22:00.000-08:00

There is a song by The Freddy Jones Band called "In a Daydream". It starts off like this:

Tuesday mornin' never looked so good / I'm already in, In a daydream...

Well...it was actually this past Tuesday morning when I got a text from my buddy, we'll call him "The Forcer". The text was no text at all, but rather this picture. Enough said. Daydreaming begin.....

The Forcer had just hooked into this beautiful Bone Fish on the fly down in Island of Andros in the Bahamas. A yearly pilgrimage to Andros with The Forcer and a team of jackals, I have been on the invite list for many years, but have failed to make the trip. I'm told this trip includes camping on the beach, drinking heavily, and slaying big bones. Someone remind me again WHY I haven't joined?

The weather report calls for snow in the NorthEast this week and I am sitting at my desk in this "daydream". As I flip through the text from The Forcer, an email literally floats into my inbox from another good friend, we'll call this one "Dr. J". This email contains only the picture below:

One might assume, these are two friends of mine who are on a trip together. One would be wrong. They have never met, and are on two separate trips. Dr. J is in Islamorada. While I sit. At my desk. In A Daydream.

Freddy Jones Band, Vail 11/21/09

Tuesday mornin'

never looked so good

I'm already in

In a daydream

The sun is shinin'

It's here to wake me up

No one around

Just me and the sky

I'm already in

In a daydream

The sky is callin'

It's callin' out my name

Telling me just to stay

Stay, don't go away

And a breeze is blowin'

Blowin' across my face

Well I just don't know where

But I wish I could be there

Just for a little while

I'm already in

In a daydream

Fishing Jones - Profiles My Painting for Blog Post

2012-02-08T12:49:00.000-08:00

Pete McDonald's blog Fishingjones.com describes being "done in by a professional" drinker.

Open Access in Winter

2012-01-31T13:28:00.000-08:00

Hunkered down for the winter, I thought this would be a nice subject.

I imagined that beyond this old gate lies a nice trout stream waiting to be discovered. This is the kind of spot that requires some whisky running through your blood to keep warm.

I found this photo on flickr.com by a photographer and artist Allison Ryder . The photo was accompanied by this Poem:

"i'm tired" thought the fence ~ winter fence friday {Explore}

In the mountains through and around,
along the road here's what i found.
a fence so old
it could no longer stand.

The snow came down warm and hard
settling itself on wood and barb.
it whispered "my dear tired fence,
let me lay with you, you’re not alone."

Sighing deep the fence let go
Leaning now against the snow.
resigned but happy
a fence no more.~ Allison Ryder

It's a Brown Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T06:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

This beautiful Brown Trout was caught by an angler I found on Reddit.com named TroutHockey. He posted this in the Fly Fishing category and I thought it was a perfect pose. Caught in the in the Catskills of NY on an elk hair caddis. I'd take some of this over turkey. Anyone eating some trout tomorrow??

Trout Hunters Escape the Bear!

2011-11-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

I got a call from my father a few weeks ago letting me know that our dear friend Rich Paini had been attacked by what he thought was a Grizzly Bear and the details we had thus far were sketchy. My heart sank. Rich and his friend Jon Stiehl had been out for a morning Elk hunt and they were attacked. I immediately thought of the last time I saw Rich, at his wedding on the banks of the Henry's Fork River in Island Park, Idaho at his Fly Fishing Lodge "Trout Hunter".

It was a gorgeous day. When my family and I showed up to attend the wedding there was a sign on the fly shop door that said something to the effect that the wedding ceremony and reception were going to be starting late because Rich was out fishing.

As Jon explains in this TroutHunt.com update, I'm happy to report that Rich and Jon made it out alive, although Rich had some pretty severe battle wounds to take home with him. Jon explains:

I heard Rich yell “BEAR!” By the time I was able to get out my pepper spray, Rich and a very large dark bear with a buff face came flying into view. The bear was 3/4's erect and Rich had managed to stick up his right arm to protect his face. The bear clamped down on it and threw Rich to the ground, completely breaking his right arm below the elbow. It looked like a hit from an NFL Linebacker. Rich thrust his left arm and recurve bow towards the bear's face in an attempt to free himself. The bear chomped that hand splintering the arrows in the bow quiver in the process. I ran to the collision just in time to fire off a cloud of pepper spray at the bear's huge ass and watch it tear off into the woods.

A broken arm and missing ring finger later, Rich is home and recovering. I look forward to visiting the TroutHunter Lodge in the next few years to hear the story in person. I'll be purchasing some pepper spray before I go.

Click the picture to visit TroutHunt.com and see their Fly Shop, Lodge and Guide Service:

TroutHunt

A Cutthroat Battle

2011-11-07T09:41:00.000-08:00

"Flies, and Their Lawyers, Keep Rare Trout From Going Home" By JUSTIN SCHECK of the WSJ.com

Restoring the Fish to California Creek Could Harm a Bug's Life; Cutthroat Battle

California Department of Fish and Game

MARKLEEVILLE, Calif.—North America's rarest trout has human allies who want to give it back its ancestral home.But the fish face an obstacle to their homecoming: bug advocates.

Federal and state game officials want to restore the Paiute cutthroat trout to the range scientists believe it occupied for many millennia—a nine-mile stretch of the Silver King Creek in the Sierra Nevada wilderness.

Yet there are also bugs in those waters—bugs that insect advocates say will be threatened by the fish fans' proposal...More After The Jump

Sapphire

2011-04-27T08:43:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-26T06:04:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-22T06:38:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-16T08:14:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-04T05:56:00.000-07:00

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.

2011-04-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

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

Warm After Blood

2011-01-21T07:39:00.000-08:00

Warm After Blood

Acrylic on Board 5.5" x 8"

I found this image of a Cowboy sitting by the fire taking off his gloves. I imagine he just finished up a dirty deed of some sort... Exhausted, cold, worn out and alone, he packs in close to warm himself by the fire. My last Acrylic painting before stepping into oils.

What Big Eyes You Have

2011-01-19T12:41:00.000-08:00

"What Big Eyes You Have"

Graphite & Acrylic on Canvas 14"x14"

I have been wanting to get back into the heavier mediums - Acrylic and Oils and this is my first foray back into those mediums in quite some time. This Acrylic/Graphite painting is of my daughter, Pilar dressed as Little Red Riding Hood for Halloween last year. My wife made the cape from scratch...it's beautiful and was the perfect fit for Pilar. Her sheepish grin was easy to capture, but the eyes were very difficult. There is a lot going on behind them, trust me. I was going to call this painting "Watch Out Wolf" because I feel sorry for the wolf who crosses paths with this one.

I plan to venture more and more into the deeper mediums and look forward to making progress and expanding learning more through the process. (Disclaimer....the photo doesn't do the painting justice...I have a terrible camera). My inspiration for this painting comes partially from an artist I follow, Michael Shapcott Take a look.

Here are a few reference pictures:

Graphite Underdrawing:

And here is my little Pilar holding the (Finished???) painting:

Louboutin Madame Butterfly

2011-01-12T12:01:00.000-08:00

Christian Louboutin Madame Butterfly 150 Leopard Pump

Watercolor 9" x 12" Coldpress

An obvious departure from the fishy subjects so commonplace on my blog, this piece was at the request of one of my female fans. I have a number of ladies who frequent my site and I wanted to impress them with some "couture" to prove that just because I like to fish doesn't mean I don't know fashion. I thought the animal print would be a fitting theme on my site, as I know there are some hunters who might like it as well.

The Christian Louboutin shoe is best know for it's signature red-lacquered heel. Louboutin is a French designer who's goal is to “make a woman look sexy, beautiful, to make her legs look as long as [he] can.” I would say these red souled shoes do the trick. Louboutin came up with the red soul almost by accident when he applied red nail polish to one of his shoe designs to make it have "more energy". Little did he know that he would be creating a cultural icon.

I wonder if my lady would like a pair? I suppose that is a silly question. What do you think?

Heineken Green Drake

2011-01-02T18:43:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2011!

"Heineken Green Drake"

Watercolor on cold press 9" x 12"

(SOLD)

Hopefully the hangovers have subsided. After all of these booze bottle paintings, I was recently asked to create a commission for a client combining my love of painting booze with my love of painting flies. This will be a gift for his father, a big fly fisherman who likes to enjoy a Heineken while on the water. He refers to Heineken as Green Drakes. I can hear him now...pass me another Green Drake! I thought I would add a little twist to the bottle as well.

I thought it would be interesting to see the progression of this painting from sketch to completed work. I took a few pictures along the way to show how I came to the final piece.

1. The Sketch

2.The base layer

3. Taking shape with more details and depth

4.The Basic Bottle has been built before the fly and reflection were added.

5. The label close up

6. Close up of the Green Drake

Dewar's White Label

2010-12-27T08:48:00.000-08:00

Dewar's

Watercolor on coldpress 9"x12"

As a follow up to yesterday's Grey Goose post, I thought I'd pay tribute to all of the "brown" lovers out there with the classic Dewar's Bottle. The Dewar's White Label is a basic Blended Scotch Whiskey. Founded in 1846, the Dewar's brand became famous world wide.

History tells us that Andrew Carnegie sent a barrel of Dewar's Whisky to President Benjamin Harrison in 1891. The President was criticized by the press for supporting a foreign brand and not a domestic bourbon, but this ended up doing wonders for Dewar's advertising as orders from all over the United States began to pour in for Dewar's Whisky. A quote from Tommy Dewar at the time reads, "it was the very best advertisement I ever had, and certainly the cheapest...inquiries and orders flowed to us from all parts of the states.

(SOLD)

Grey Goose

2010-12-26T07:11:00.000-08:00

Grey Goose

Watercolor on cold press 9"x12"

(SOLD)

I had to hold off on a few posts recently, because the Christmas surprise would have been ruined for a few people. This Grey Goose bottle is a fitting subject for today's overcast day. As I sat eating breakfast I saw hundreds of Canadian Geese flying overhead on their way to a warmer climate...if that exists in the US right now? I think it's freezing in Florida and we here in PA are expecting a few feet. Well the good news is, this spirit doesn't freeze. In fact, you will usually find this bottle in the freezer waiting patiently for such a cold day.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and is anticipating a fantastic New Year celebration for the ringing in of 2011. I'm sure Grey Goose will be the drink of many on New Years Eve.

Ausable Salmon Bomb

2010-12-08T19:02:00.000-08:00

The Ausable Salmon Bomb is a sweet looking attractor fly that I found on the Ruff Waters Fly Fishing Blog.

Watercolor on 9" x 12" Coldpress paper

I haven't fished the Ausable, but it will be crossed off my list some day for sure. This fly was not easy to paint...took me a few evenings and many beers and a bottle of red...oh and some whiskey too. I assume tying it is no easy task either. The plan according to Ruff Water's blog is to hit the Lake Champlain tributaries with this beautiful Salmon Fly. I'm sure there is a nice chill to the air up there right now...and those fish are hungry!

Take a look at the Ruff Waters Fly Shop to see a good selection of Adirondack Fly gear as well as a nice Ausable River Watershed guide service. If you'd like to see this fly directly, check out the Ruff Waters Blog I'm always on the lookout for more interesting, eye catching subjects...if you have ideas "swing them" my way.

The Mighty Snook

2010-12-03T05:58:00.000-08:00

A good friend relocated down south and has promised to bring me Snook fishing some day. So, I've done my research and am looking forward to the opportunity. Here is my attempt at capturing the Snook on paper. Another warm water fish that "tricky" to catch. Not only can they be hard to catch...specifically on the fly because they like to go deep, but these suckers can grow up to 47". If your calculator is broken, that's almost 4 FEET LONG....damn!

The Fly Rod might not always be the ideal weapon of choice to bring these guys in as the recommended tackle is a 9- to 11-weight rod, with 40- to 50-pound-test tippets. Either way you catch them, the make for a nice meal and I think a great painting subject, racing stripe and all!

Watercolor on Cold Press 9"x 12"

For a more in depth description of the habits of the Snook, take a look here at Florida Sports Man

Cyber Monday at StridArt

2010-11-29T12:39:00.000-08:00

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Just a friendly reminder that StridArt is open for business this holiday season! Why not surprise your Dad, Husband, Wife, or someone special with a very unique gift this Christmas.

Give a call or send an email to inquire about a painting, print, or a commission idea!

Contact Me

Thanksgiving Muddler

2010-11-22T06:26:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving Week! I thought I'd start this week off with a nice Muddler Minnow Fly. Brown seems to be a very "thanksgiving-ish" color to me. I have also included the actual fly that was the model for this painting. The fly was given to me by my wife, as she felt it was a beautiful fly...agreed. Looking forward to some Thanksgiving family time this week.

Water color on 9"x12" cold press

Permit In Light

2010-11-10T05:53:00.000-08:00

The Permit, Trachinotus falcatus is a fish found in the shallow, tropical waters of the Atlantic...or the fly fisherman's southern destination..."The Flats". It is one of the most difficult fish to catch, but worth the fight..so I'm told. The Greek origins of the name Trachinotus falcatus mean "Rough Back" and "Armed with Scythes". A reference to the sharp dorsal fin that occasionally protrudes out of the water.

Water Color on Cold Press 9"x12"

I thought this would be a nice painting to get people thinking about the warm weather destinations they have planned for the upcoming winter chill up north. (Also would make a nice Christmas present.) I know I've been thinking about it as evidence of my painting subject! Here is a link to a guide service called Tropic Bay that charters trips to St. Martins Reef off of the central west coast of Florida and the Keys. I'll try to keep some warm weather subjects coming your way to let you have a nice daydream. Now, close your eyes and queue the Bob Marley tune Trench Town Rock!

Who has tropical fishing plans this winter?

Two of Hearts - River Runt

2010-11-03T05:59:00.000-07:00

The Two of Hearts is a the lovers card. I chose this subject with some inspiration from a deck of playing cards given to me by a friend. The Deck includes old school fishing lures and spinners. I thought this one paints an interesting idea. The 2 hearts of lovers...the two incredibly sharp tri-hooks...perhaps waiting hook each heart together. What do you think it signifies?

The River Runt c. 1929.

Here is a great website that has an unbelievable collection of old lures, including the River Runt: Old Fishing Lure

Jim Warner - Gray Winni Smelt

2010-11-02T05:55:00.000-07:00

I opened some mail last night to find a nice early Christmas present from the one and only Jim Warner. Jim is a legendary Fly Tier who resides in Melvin Village on Lake Winnipesaukee in NH. I spent my summers as a child on that lake and have sweet memories of the place. The gift I received from Jim last night included 2 beautifully hand tied Streamers and a note describing Jim's efforts to reach out to all of his friends on his website STREAMER LIST with a few flies on his list. Thanks Jim! And you'll see this paining in the mail shortly.

And here is the Fly Tied by Jim Warner: