Virginia Fly fishing Festival
Gold Tier Sponsors:

Copyright ©2010 Virginia Fly Fishing Festival

Although I’ve worn many hats in my life: student, farmer, biologist, US Marine, computer programmer, graphics/video designer, salesman, and fly fishing instructor… as long as I can remember, three things have remained constant … my steadfast love of angling, illustration, and the people that these have brought into my life. Ever since I was a young boy, my fascination with wildlife, love for the outdoors, and my appreciation for beautiful things have fostered in me a true passion for fly fishing and its ability to connect me to nature. It is this appreciation for beautiful things, married with an artistic eye and a desire to craft things by hand, that has made my artwork and fly tying almost as enjoyable as fishing itself.

My illustration is more than simply a way to express my love of nature's beauty... but also a means by which I can cultivate that same passion and appreciation in others. By the time I'd finished college, I had lived, traveled, and fly fished all over North America. With the ink still drying on a Poultry Science degree and a budding career in the agriculture industry, I realized my deep-seated love of fly fishing and fly tying could not be contained and seized an opportunity to consult for one of the largest premier fly tying companies in the world. Years later I joined Orvis, and as Richmond's Fishing Manager found yet another opportunity to share my love of art and fly fishing with the general public. Listening to the stories of clients interested in commissioning art, teaching people how to cast a fly rod, even my own memorable experiences on the water, all fill the well from which I draw the inspiration to illustrate.

Working exclusively in colored pencil, allows me to bring whatever fish, wildlife, or other outdoor subject to life in the intricate detail that characterizes my work. Best known for my realistic illustrations of fresh and saltwater game fish, I am fortunate to have art in private collections all over the US and Canada, as well as several magazine publications to my credit.

It is my pleasure to create this year’s poster, as the 2010 Virginia Fly Fishing Festival Artist. All of my existing work is visible online, and hope you’ll take the time to visit my virtual gallery at: www.outdoorimpressions.com

This piece was selected for use
on the Virginia Fly Fishing Festival's
10th anniversary year promotional poster.