Set of 2 Signed Limited Edition Prints from Artist Bob White at Whitefish Studio

"Quitting Early" signed by Bob White

"Close to Home" signed by Bob White and John Gierach

A celebration of Bob White’s collaboration with John Gierach’s “Sporting Life” column in Fly Rod & Reel magazine.

Bob White is an artist whose work is truly an expression of his experiences. A professional guide and artist for two decades, he has spent countless hours researching sportsmen and women in action; from the wilderness of Alaska’s Bristol Bay region and his rural Minnesota home to the wide-reaching expanses of Argentina.

Bob has provided the artwork which accompanies John Gierach’s “Sporting Life” column in Fly Rod & Reel magazine since 1992.  Bob and his wife Lisa have generously donated a print of the 1^st painting (“Quitting Early”) and a print of the 100^th painting (“Close to Home”) in this series.  The prints are not framed, which will allow the winning bidder to frame them to his or her unique taste.

In Bob’s words, here’s how the 100^th painting came together…

There’s nothing that I like better than illustrating a good story, and I don't know of any better storyteller than John Gierach. John and I began working together in 1988, when I illustrated his article "East Big Fish" for Rod and Reel magazine.

In 1991, after we tragically lost Lee Wulff, who wrote the closing column for Rod and Reel, the editors asked John to take over that assignment. And, they asked me to illustrate it. Our first column together was published in March of 1992. This July marks our 100th column together, and I wanted to do a painting of John fishing his home water to commemorate that event.

So... last September, I went out Colorado and followed my friend around on his favorite stream for a few days. Don’t ask me where... I promised not to say... and this is the kind of promise that’s sacred among fishermen. Over the course of three days, I took hundreds of photographs of John.

One of the last frames I shot was of him landing a nice fish, and after John left the stream, I noticed a beer can under a log, and went to pick it up... every fishing guide believes that picking up a can on the water is good luck. It’s a good thing I did too, because I’d need the luck... just afterwards I went down and my camera got soaked. Fortunately, I didn't lose any of my shots, and as luck would have it, the last frame I took is the photograph that this painting is based on.

Whenever I paint, I always have a mantra that guides my work. The mantra for this painting was “complex, not complicated”. I wanted the painting to be complex, but not over-painted. I wanted it to be loose and painterly, because I believe that the marks a painter leaves on his canvas become his signature.

It wasn’t until I finished the painting, “Close To Home” that I realized that this is exactly how I would describe, John... complex, not complicated. That’s what I enjoy about John and his writing...and what I hope you’ll enjoy about my artwork.

-          Bob White

Here are the details on the prints:

"Close To Home" - the 100th painting - July/October 2008 issue - signed by both John Gierach and Bob White

- 15" x 19" (image size) - edition of 600 (unframed)

Retail value $300.00

"Quitting Early" - the 1st painting - March 1992 issue - Signed by Bob White

- 12" x 14" (image size) - edition of 600 (unframed)

Retail value $150.00

Thank you to Bob and Lisa White at Whitefish Studio for their generous donation to the Bristol Bay conservation campaign!  Visit their web site for further information on their beautiful artwork.  If you have any questions, Bob said he’d be more than happy to speak with you.  His contact information can be found on the Whitefish Studio web site.