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LIVINGSTON, Montana — There are fly anglers who only have one thing on their minds, and that is to catch trout. In so doing, they often miss the beauty and art that is found in fly fishing.
Other fly anglers become seers. The simplicity of a casted fly line, the art in fly imitation and the beauty and color found in all trout species become just as important as the catch.
Artist A.D. Maddox, world-renowned for her amazing paintings of trout, has spent a great deal of her time seeing trout like no other person, and has become the première trout artist in the world. Her paintings capture the trout's essence and the hearts of those who view them.
"The number one thing that draws me to trout is their color," Maddox said. "They are absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. Color is how I see. Color is life. Color makes me happy. The trout I paint are alive with color."
Maddox grew up in Tennessee and eventually moved west to Jackson, Wyoming, where her talent and passion for painting trout flourished. As a self-taught artist, she paints in oil on Belgian linen with a style of her own.
Her unique and beautiful trout paintings have graced the covers of many of the leading fly fishing and outdoor sport magazines including American Angler, Big Sky Journal and Gray's Sporting Journal. Many companies have merchandised her pieces. Her art is found on products by American Dakota, Buff USA, Cabelas, Croakies, Fincognito, L.L. Bean, Montana Fly Company, Patagonia and Stealth Craft Boats.
For the past several months Maddox has been busy at her easel painting trout for the grand opening of her new gallery in Livingston, Montana on Friday June 28, 2019. While trout will be the focus of the grand opening, Maddox has also been working on a new series painting mustangs, the wild horses of the west. She had hoped to have some of the mustang paintings ready for the opening, but the time she spent working on trout paintings has not allowed for the mustang paintings to be completed. She will, however, show some of the unfinished mustang paintings so visitors can see the process and techniques being used.
As a fly angler, Maddox finds serenity as she enters the landscapes where trout are found. This quote from her website sums up her feelings: "I believe people fly fish to enter a more serene state ... one that is completely free from the chaos and pressures of our modern society. I strive to capture these brief moments of perfection on canvas so that the viewer can remember the utter simplicity of the experience. Fly fishing is a spiritual pursuit!"
To view more of her original art and fine art prints visit her website: admaddox.com
