While we sit in the snow...

I got a message from Tim Pearson at River Blend Studios and he suggested that I dig my paints out of hibernation and paint a picture of a Brule River Steelhead in exchange for one of his.  Excited, flattered and a little scared were my emotions (in that order).  I haven't painted in 10 years.  With just the right push at the right time I decided to give it a go.  He suggested that I paint for an hour or so and, when finished, box it up and send it to him.  I headed out to the art supply store to update my supplies and returned with a few new drawing pencils, erasers, drawing pens, brushes and tubes of watercolor.  Tim is a masterful watercolor artist and I decided to follow his lead and give them a try despite never having used them.  Nothing like putting yourself on the spot...

Basically the end result was a graphic pen drawing with a watercolor overlay.  I took the hour deadline and multiplied it by about 15.  My painting, like my fishing is deliberate, intense and hard-earned.  As they say in the "Movie" "...all good things - trout as well as eternal salvation - came by grace; and grace comes by art; and art does not come easy."

The exercise was good for me and I was comfortable sending Tim the piece:

Tim followed up by sending me his beautiful rendition of a Brule Steelhead...I'm sure he probably cranked this out in an hour (which really pisses me off!)