Workin Like Dog

A year ago my friend Jon Keener’s wife asked if I would attempt to paint their family dog as a Christmas present for him. Loving a challenge in anything, I said yes. Well, the good news is that Jake the yellow lab came out pretty darn good for a first dog.

This week I completed “Bernie” the Llewellyn setter for Ron Malone of South Carolina. I worked periodically on Bernie for nearly ten days. He’s only the fourth dog I’ve done and he’s the first that is partially black. Next time you see a black dog; have a good look at him. They are nothing but a collage of highlights and reflections. Bernie’s black ears and black patches on his face led to the most challenging painting I have ever done. Layers after layers, highlights after highlights I carefully added and subtracted paint on Bernie. Finally, after hanging him in my own house for a few days, both my wife Granny and I loved him. Bernie was complete! And to celebrate we skied the Ranch on the Henry's Fork. No fishing allowed in there this time of year. Shucks!

Today I continue to work on various projects. You’d think a guy without a normal “day job” would be looking for stuff to do, but it’s the complete opposite, I’m buried! At the top of the list is filling the last spot for my hosted Brazil trip in March. All I need is one more person. Meanwhile I’m pouring through thousands of photos I took this year and inserting my best ones into my PowerPoint presentations. Starting in January I will be speaking at most of the Fly Fishing Shows as well as some Fly Fishing Clubs. I hope to see you at one of them.

I continue to paint on a daily basis. I’m presently painting a Snake River Cutthroat. They look kind of funny without spots! Last but not least I’m going to reward these next few months of work with some travel and fishing. I’m finalizing plans to chase giant Pacific snook in Baja the first week in February with my friends Sam Vigneri and Grant Hartman. And I’m just starting an attempt to sort out a possible expedition to fish the beaches of Madagascar in April. My partner in crime for this salty adventure will be Granny – it will be 20 years this April! How did she do it!

Ha! I just got an email from Montgomery and Bruun. It’s back to the South Fork tomorrow! GOOD STUFF!!!!!!!!!