'Dragonfly Slayer' - Original

8x10 Acrylic on gesso primed panel.

Story behind the painting:

As I slipped into the crystal-clear, glass-still water, the only ripples came from my own steps, gently wading out toward the line of rocks and grass ahead. I tied on a small gnat imitation to the end of my 5x tippet, something subtle to start with.
A few casts in, I began stripping the fly slowly across the surface. Curious swirls followed, but no takers. For nearly two hours, it was the same ol scenario: change the fly, strip it slow, spark some interest. But still, no bites. Just a tease.
Then it happened. Out of nowhere, a small, torpedo-shaped rainbow trout rocketed clean out of the water and inhaled a dragonfly mid-air, right in front of me. The light bulb came on.
I quickly swapped to a small blue dragonfly pattern, and that’s when the magic began. Non-stop action. Cast, strike, catch, photo, release. Over and over, again and again, each fish a bright flash of color darting back into the crystal depths.
There’s something completely mesmerizing about watching a vibrant rainbow trout disappear into that kind of water. So pure, so clear, like nature’s own magic trick.
After a few more catches, I called it a day. But the memory of it all stuck with me. So vivid, so bright and wild, I had to try and bring it to life with acrylics. And that’s the moment when “Dragonfly Slayer” was born.