FRESH START POINTS TO WILDSCAPE’S CADDIS FLY JEWELRY
Wildscape's creation of fancy digs for caddis fly larva. (Moldy Chum Source)
Posts Tagged ‘Fly Fishing Art
27
Oct
11
WFN Tat & Passion Ad
I have a soft spot for tat work and fishing. I would like to think, some would disagree, that I helped highlight this growing trend back in 2008 with my own limited work. Of course, some will disapprove and that is fine. I see Mariko Izumi has added some ink along the way. My only concern is as I get older my trout does not develop wrinkles!
Peacock feather tattoos continue to be a hot tattoo design for women. The peacock feather does lend itself to colorful options for ink. This site is a bit naughty, so look at the peacock feather pics but don’t venture to far left or right and I don’t mean the Oregon Blueberry ad either…. bodypainting69 (don’t enter if easily offended….intended for those only interested in peacock feather tattoo design options…there are two interesting designs here…)
Peacock feather design on the bum (swittersb...bodypaintingby69)
18
Aug
11
Manhole Art, Eugene, Oregon
I stepped from my rig on E. 13th Street in Eugene, Oregon. I looked down and found a pretty nice discovery. I found it to be creative by whomever envisioned or designed it. I wonder if there are a variety of these beautiful manhole covers by East Jordan Iron Works in Eugene and elsewhere?
Eugene, Oregon on E. 13th Street
“East Jordan Iron Works, Inc. has been a part of the East Jordan, Michigan, community for over 125 years. William E. Malpass and his father-in-law, Richard W. Round, established the foundry November 8, 1883, to service the area’s booming lumber industry. At the time, the foundry produced castings for machine parts, ship parts, agricultural uses, and eventually railroads. Soon after the company was founded, W.E. Malpass called upon his brother James, a journeyman machinist in England, to join the firm.”
Tom McCall Statue; Salem, Oregon Waterfront Park
I never realized this beautiful piece of work existed on the home front. The statue was placed in the Salem Riverfront Park in 2008. It was made in Enterprise, Oregon (NE part of state) and even took a tour around the state before being set in the park. Tom McCall was a gentlemen’s gentleman. An excellent example of leadership without arrogance. Tom McCall Fly Fishing Statue h/t: Creek
Like this:
Phillip Synhorst carries this beautiful Brook Trout tattoo. Char Hall of Side Show Studios Custom Tattoo in Sacramento, California did the work. I have seen a touch of her other work and must say she does beautiful color work. (SwittersB) Thanks Kara/PP
31
Jul
11
Ernest Schwiebert
PP Dragon Fly's Beauty & Magic Qualities (SwittersB)
“I fish because of beauty” Ernest Schwiebert
I recently received an early edition of Ernest Schwiebert’s Nymphs, published in 1973. The artwork is extraordinary and the information requires study by today’s spoon fed standards. But, in studying Schwiebert, I discovered he was so gifted in expressing his recollections. I like that. As a rule, I am drawn to the visual for inspiration. But, I also am drawn to simple recollections that provide a glimpse of early inspirations and good times. I must confess that beyond techniques, I have not studied the fly fishing legends. I have a propensity to not idolize much these days, because it eventually leads to disappointment. But, Schwiebert seems to have been a bit of a Renaissance man with regard to fly fishing: science, art, literature, persona.
07
May
11
SwittersB’s Tattoo’s Progression
SwittersB Tattoo
Designs, visions, suggestions, artist input…..a tattoo design can be created, but can go hither and yon while you practice mind control over a few hours. I designed the top tattoo as a combination of the family motto “Semper Paratus”, the Celtic theme and the triquetra symbol. I wanted it finished off with the hands presenting the fish to nature. It was just fine until I noticed the hands were not, well not quite right. Did I speak up? Nope. I rationalized the hands and made a mental adjustment. In time it was fine; but, I deferred to what is a permanent work on my arm and not quite what I wanted. Ok, it was done and I was cool with it. If anyone noticed, they said nothing.
Now, a thought evolved from a nymph/female image I had seen years ago on the back of a stillwater fly fishing book….a buggy looking nymph/female. I had a photocopy of the image for years. I still have it somewhere, I just don’t know where.
So, I asked my son, Tony, to devise a newer image. My vision: a female/nymph blend rising from below the first tattoo to reach up and receive the fish from the hands above. Tony drew his image and I liked it a lot. Originally, it was a buxom rendition. Off to Atlas Tattoo (Portland, Oregon) for an appointment with Corey Crowley. I turned over the renditions by Tony and an appointment was made.
I arrived to have the tattoo. The Crowley rendition was similar in theme, but again the artist’s input had altered my vision. But, I liked it. We went for it. I suggested, for peace keeping purposes, that perhaps some hair should descend down over the breasts. The hands rose to receive the fish from the hands above. The middle nymphette’s hands/arms were presented in a prayerful-respectful pose. The abdomen was perfectly segmented and the three tails reached to the hand. Blades of grass/vegetation reach out from the side. I suggested a shading of grey-green to delineate the nymphette from the grass. Crowley suggested shading and leaving it uncolored/shaded. I deferred.
In the end, I will digest the tattoo, as is, and not rush to green up the vegetation, just yet. I may have the top tat touched up and a hint of blush added to the fish. Still deciding. A very good experience and as always Atlas Tattoo, in Portland, is a very awesome experience regardless of the artist….all exceptional.
SwittersB Tattoo (Vegetation Greened Up)
Sorry for glare of flash, but wanted to show the results of greening up the vegetation to differentiate it from the nymph. I am pleased. Brian Graham, Black Lotus, Eugene, Oregon
First and foremost, I appreciate every tying expo I have been to. I spent a few years driving my son, Tony, to them when he was the obligatory youth tier (albeit a darn good tier). So, I appreciate the mental~practical preparation involved.
As a beginning fly tier, I encourage you to attend these shows and most importantly do not be shy. I normally walk in and walk the circuit making a quick assessment of types of flies being tied. Now some would say not to eliminate any style of tie. Your choice. I look for the type of flies I will most often fish and want to learn more about. So, I look for trout flies and steelhead tube flies. You may look for bass flies and Atlantic Salmon artists, or Realistic Fly Designers (my designations).
As I said, do not be shy. You are there to learn. They are there to teach, clarify and inspire. If a chair is open sit down or get close. They aren’t selling anything so don’t walk on by. Take notes. Take their cards for later study or commercial contacts. If a tier is busy gabbing with friends or telling stories and not tying move on. Keep looking for the type of flies you are most interested in.
Ask ‘how to’ questions: ‘can you do that whip finisher move a bit slower?’ ‘what kind of feather is that?’ Some tiers are tying to knowledgeable tiers and may whiz by stages, so feel free to ask questions. It is a very open venue….or should be. The NW Fly Tying Expo in Albany, Oregon, I just went to, was a perfect match for most of my interests. Maybe a bass fly fisher would say different, I don’t know.
Another thing I noticed, and liked, the tiers run the gamut of human nature: the tiers were in various ways precise, scattered, anal, disorganized, gregarious, shy, gruff…the full range. They tied great flies and with all the varieties of styles, personalities and patterns. I think you will enjoy these shows and as I did take away tips and techniques I had forgotten or never seen before. Thanks to those that organize these shows and the tiers (and, vendors).
“You take 186 tyers, plus 160 volunteers,” Sherry Steele said. “And to have that many people step up to the plate, that’s really great. It’s huge.” Statesman Journal
