Katherine Ford reveals off a high-quality smallmouth bass, the fish that made her fall in love with fly fishing. Photographs courtesy Katherine Ford
Wisconsin artist Katherine Ford got here to each portray and fly fishing late in life, however she’s definitely made up for misplaced time. Identified for her beautiful watercolors of flies, she’s additionally taken to portray totally different fish species, as properly. The outcomes are colourful, impressionistic work that actually seize the interaction of type and performance, in addition to the connection to nature. We requested Katherine to reply just a few questions on her path to changing into an artist and extra.
Watercolor, 5 x 7 x 1.5 inches
2024
The place are you from, and what do you do for a dwelling?
I’ve referred to as Wisconsin house my entire life, besides for 2 adventurous years in Alaska. I spent my profession within the meals and pharmaceutical industries, working in high quality assurance—a extremely analytical area. After I retired, I lastly gave my long-suppressed creativity area to develop. Watercolor portray turned my outlet, permitting curiosity and expression to bloom.
Watercolor, 5 x 7 x 1.5 inches
2024
The place and when did you begin fishing?
My dad used fishing as an escape, and from the time I used to be 4, he’d carry me alongside—often to the gravel pit, the place I caught bullheads and soaked up the enjoyment of being with him. By age six, I had a hand line and was catching panfish throughout journeys “Up North.” After I received bored, he handed me snarled line to untangle. I believed I used to be serving to. He most likely tossed it later, however I felt like a part of the group.
Watercolor, 5 x 7 x 1.5 inches
2024
When and the way did you begin drawing/portray/sculpting? Did you examine?
I loved artwork in highschool, particularly perspective drawing, however life led me in different instructions for a few years. Later, I rediscovered sketching by way of botanical illustration. Wanting so as to add shade, I turned to watercolor. I didn’t pursue a proper artwork diploma however studied with artists whose kinds I admired, together with Mary Bauschelt, David R. Becker, Peg Ginsberg, and Helen Klebesadel.
Watercolor, 5 x 7 x 1.5 inches
2025
Who’re the opposite artists who encourage you most?
I’m drawn to artists who carry emotional fact to peculiar topics. Andrew Wyeth has lengthy been a favourite for his stark intimacy and storytelling. I additionally deeply admire up to date watercolorists who seize small moments with sincerity and element—one thing I try for in my very own work.
Watercolor, 9 x 12 x 1.5 inches
2025
What’s your connection between your love of artwork and fishing? When did they arrive collectively?
Whereas I’ve fished since childhood, I didn’t fall in love with fly fishing till about eight years in the past on a guided smallmouth journey with P.J. Smith. After a number of hours on the water, he opened a musky-fly field, and I used to be shocked by the sculptural great thing about these flies. I knew I needed to paint them. That led to portray trout flies, bass streamers, and finally fish themselves. My first fish portray now hangs within the SIM Fly Fishing Museum in Italy.
I really like working in shut element, and once you examine a fish up shut—actually examine it—you see intricate colours and textures that go unnoticed in photographs. That curiosity drove me to fish extra, simply to raised perceive what I needed to color.
Watercolor, 5 x 7 x 1.5 inches
2024
What’s up subsequent for you?
I’m at present engaged on a sequence that pairs seasonal blooms with matching flies—a mix of my botanical roots and my fascination with flies as summary sculpture. I’ll proceed fly fishing as a part of that course of, letting the water and its inhabitants form what comes subsequent within the studio.
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