Artist donates copyrights to artwork, creates painting for WWA
An artist who began painting at the age of 11 is giving the copyrights of one of his creations to a veteran’s organization, so it can continue to raise money to further support its mission.
Rick Kelley, who has a studio in Matlacha, said creating a painting for the Wounded Warrior Anglers 3rd annual Redfish Shootout in memory of Spc. Michael Plath felt like the right thing to do.
The painting includes Capt. Jim Conant, Damon Zeigler and Frank DePace in a boat with a redfish swimming close by.
“Veterans are the best people in the world,” Kelley said. “The results of saying yes are always a positive.”
He said working with veterans, and painting images of veterans, has become a passion of his because of their unconditional sacrifice.
Wounded Warrior Anglers president and co-founder Dave Souders said they staged the painting by taking the Wounded Warrior Angler decal-wrapped boat out on the water with Conant, Zeigler and DePace, providing Kelley with the opportunity to photograph the scene.
Kelley said he took pictures of each person positioned in a certain way, as well as photographs of the water at eye level.
“I came up with the idea and came up with the reference material,” he said. “I get the idea and design what I want to do.”
Souders said Kelley provided limited editions of the painting for the Wounded Warrior Angler chapters, which will be split between the five chapters. The money raised from the painting will benefit each chapter.
“It will advance their cause a lot,” Kelley said of providing WWA with the limited editions and copyright. “My passion is always to give back.”
The original painting will be auctioned during the 3rd annual Redfish Shootout this Saturday, May 23, at the Olde Fish House Marina.
Anglers fish for two redfish, one trout and multiple Calcutta’s during the annual shootout.
Registration for the boat division is $350 for a team of three anglers. Each additional angler is $100. The kayak division includes a $50 entrance fee per angler.
This year, Wounded Warrior Anglers decided to make the shootout its premier tournament with a larger winning pot.
The boat division prizes include $4,000 for first place; $1,750 for second place and $1,000 for third place. The kayak division includes $350 for first place; $150 for second place and 2016 kayak entry for third place.
Other prizes include $1,000 for the heaviest slot redfish for a team, which includes a $100 entry fee; $500 for the heaviest trout for a team, which includes a $50 entry fee; $500 for slot redfish with the most spots for a team, which includes a $50 entry fee; $100 for the heaviest slot redfish for ages 16 and younger and $100 for a slot redfish with the most specs for ages 16 and younger.
There are also categories that veterans can enter to win. Those include $250 for the heaviest slot redfish with a $10 entry fee; $250 for the heaviest trout with a $10 entry fee; $250 for a slot redfish with the most spots with a $10 entry fee and $100 for the heaviest trout for ages 16 and younger.
The annual boat raffle winner will also be announced during the May 23 tournament at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are still available for the 2015 NauticStar 2110 Sport Bay with 150 horsepower four stroke and magic tilt trailer. Raffle tickets are $20 for one or six for $100.
After 9/11, Kelley created his Freedom Series because everyone was looking for artwork that included the American flag. The pieces include mountain tops, the bald eagle and the American flag.
“I was inspired by a painting (I did) 10 years earlier,” he said.
His collection also includes “The Homecoming,” which recognizes and honors those that have served in a painting with many camouflaged components. The painting was created to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
Kelley said he draws inspiration from the places he has gone and the feelings he encountered during that time.
“It’s a visual diary of my life,” he said of his artwork.
For more information, or to view Kelley’s artwork, visit www.kelleyfineart.com.