Artist Profile: Katherine Ford, Capturing Beauty in Close Detail

Katherine Ford reveals off a advantageous smallmouth bass, the fish that made her fall in love with fly fishing. Images 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. Recognized for her beautiful watercolors of flies, she’s additionally taken to portray totally different fish species, as effectively. The outcomes are colourful, impressionistic work that basically 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 turning into an artist and extra.

Snow and Stone
Watercolor, 5 x 7 x 1.5 inches
2024

The place are you from, and what do you do for a residing?

I’ve referred to as Wisconsin dwelling my complete 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 discipline. After I retired, I lastly gave my long-suppressed creativity house to develop. Watercolor portray grew to become my outlet, permitting curiosity and expression to bloom.

Kathy’s Brook trout
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 deliver 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 obtained bored, he handed me snarled line to untangle. I believed I used to be serving to. He in all probability tossed it later, however I felt like a part of the staff.

Ephemera Danica Parachute Fly
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 coloration, I turned to watercolor. I didn’t pursue a proper artwork diploma however studied with artists whose types I admired, together with Mary Bauschelt, David R. Becker, Peg Ginsberg, and Helen Klebesadel.

Petals and Patterns
Watercolor, 5 x 7 x 1.5 inches
2025

Who’re the opposite artists who encourage you most?

I’m drawn to artists who deliver emotional fact to peculiar topics. Andrew Wyeth has lengthy been a favourite for his stark intimacy and storytelling. I additionally deeply admire modern watercolorists who seize small moments with sincerity and element—one thing I attempt for in my very own work.

Wading with Damsels
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 ultimately fish themselves. My first fish portray now hangs within the SIM Fly Fishing Museum in Italy.

I like working in shut element, and while 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 wished to color.

Hooked on Violet
Watercolor, 5 x 7 x 1.5 inches
2024

What’s up subsequent for you?

I’m presently engaged on a collection 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.

Click here to see and purchase Katherine’s
artwork at MidCurrent Marketplace