The Grace and Beauty of the female Steelhead....

Looking at an object is not just looking at an object. As simple as that sounds, I realized in particular with this 'Steelhead project', it is so enriching and challenging for me to get the input of a fisherman on how he perceives a particular fish. Now, these two renderings of a ...and this is a particular important detail...female Steelhead were born with very colorful and rich background details on this fish, which wanted me to portray 'her' as the beautiful,  chrome-colored, elegant and very subdued in color fish...which only underlines her magnificent shape and shine. Never satisfied, I started a second rendering right after I finished the first one. You'll be the judge. 

Wishing us all better weather and beautiful summer days soon to come,

Andrea

Painting for Trout Unlimited in Wisconsin

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of being part of the 2011 State Council Banquet for Trout Unlimited Wisconsin, celebrating their 40 th Anniversary. It was very inspiring to hear about all their involvement in restoring trout streams and the Chapters supporting each other's effort all over Wisconsin and beyond. The enthusiasm and love for the sport and the importance of preserving coldwater resources can be felt among the members of this organization. 

A true credit to the quality of the event was the reaction of my 15-year-old son, a very passionate fisherman himself, who felt compelled by listening to the speakers and meeting the members to take on an active part in the organization. 

During the event, I was painting a Brown Trout, a truly magnificent fish with the most wonderful colors, which I would like to present to you today.

As for my future endeavours, you will most likely find me at events like the Coon Creek Trout Fest, July 23rd, featuring fly fishing and tying demonstrations, a trout derby, quiet water sports, raffles and giveaways and also booths with artists, vendors and guides. For more information, visit their website at www.cooncreektroutfest.com.

The colors of the bluegill.


Now...to put a certain type of fish on paper is a process, as you can imagine. My goal is to portray that particular fish as close as possible so that the fisherman will recognize it as that type of fish, that he happily pulls out of the water..on the other hand..I got to be happy about the result and want it to look like one of mine..easy to recognize. People ask me all the time, how long it takes me, to paint a fish..well, if you consider everything from rummaging through images to watching the fish being pulled out of the water, going to Cabelas and Discovery World to get a good look at them in an aquarium..well..then it's a rather long time. You see, I never quite keep count..it just sort of adds up and it's done when it's done...

And with these thoughts in mind, I'd like to post a couple of versions of my bluegill..one of them is waiting to be finished with some ink and then he'll be ready to be delivered to his new home..

Next on my list, by the way, is a female Steelhead...a beautiful and elegant fish. I'm looking forward to studying every detail.

Have a great June!

Andrea

Open House at the Fly Fishers Fly Shop

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure to be able to be part of Pat Ehlers' Fly Fishers Annual Open House. I was generously invited to paint a Brown Trout during the event, which was then to be given away as part of a raffle.

I can't begin to tell you how much fun it was to meet all those passionate fishermen, to hear their exciting fishing stories and of course, to get their input on my artwork. It was a very inspiring experience for me and I loved sharing the 'story' of my Fish Art and how I go about creating my artwork.

Of course, I wanted to include the piece that

I painted, so that everybody here can take a

glance at it as well.

As temperatures seem to rise much faster than in past years, I think that there will be plenty of opportunities to go fishing and as for me, to see those fish just as they come out of the water, which is so important for me, because, that is how I

like to portray them.

For now I wish everyone a wonderful spring and lots of outdoor enjoyment!

Andrea

Copper and Bass....

The Largemouth Bass and his mystery whereabouts...

Here we have it...another species 'conquered', this is my newest addition, a Largemouth Bass, and, according to my sources it looks very much like the real thing.

Now, the copper color of this particular fish might not seem familiar to you, but, as I have learned, the colors of the fish vary greatly - depending on their environment. This particular bass can be caught in Wisconsin, his exact whereabouts though are unknown to me and I respect the fishermen, who keep their favorite spots a secret!

As far as I can see, the creation of a Brown Trout and a Smallmouth Bass are next on my list.

So long and until next time,

Andrea McCall

Earn a beard...

I don't know if your husbands have a similar tradition, but mine assumes that he has the right to grow a beard every year just before deer and duck hunting season. Now, if you happen to have a husband who is not interested in hunting, you may ask 'Why the Beard'... Well, he tells me it is because his face stays warmer when he is out there in the early hours of the day.


So, ok...fine...but....For my sacrifice having to put up with facial hair I should at least expect some dinner meat in the freezer? Don't you think? Well, I do.


So, this year, I have come up with a new concept and it is called "EARN A BEARD". What that means is...you get to grow a beard, if you have brought home something that can be prepared for dinner the previous year - you know, otherwise it can't be called HUNTING, can it, because then it should be called either DUCK WATCHING or DEER WATCHING, right? Well, that's just my perception, but I may find some followers who agree to this posting, who knows?

Fishing for material

Little did I know years ago that I would be begging my husband to go fishing. Well, it is happening....reason is, I need material to work from, I need to see these guys (I mean: the fish) in person, inspect their colors as they come out of the water... So, what better time than Labor Day weekend to get those things accomplished. And...they delivered, Pike, Perch, Sunnies, Bass (no Walleyes though)... yeah, Teamwork, isn't it great, thanks to the fishing team!