JM: I have been making art as long as I can remember. I carried a sketchbook and pencils with me all the time and would draw to keep myself occupied. My parents were very supportive of me and helped me grow in my interest. My dad took me fly fishing for the first time when I was 15 or 16 and we went to Colorado and took an Orvis class. We did our first fly tying class together when I was 13. It was my wife’s idea to combine my love of fly-fishing and my artwork. I was looking for a focus in my work for a very long time.
Fd: What kind of techniques do you apply? How is your process?
JM: I sketch in pencil, work in mixed media, oil painting and primarily block printing using linoleum covered blocks (linocut.) You can watch the following video of my process (in time lapse). I start with a blank wood block covered in a thin sheet of linoleum. I sketch out the image I want to carve (in reverse) and then start carving it out. For multi color images (reductions) I sequentially carve away the block to create the end image.
Fd: Is there a particular message or feeling you want to convey through your works?
JM: I get the same sort of feeling when I am making my artwork that I do when I am on the stream. It is funny, but it extends my connection to it, especially in winter in Wisconsin! My hope is that people see my work and are reminded of something special to them. Whether it was a trip with a loved one or just a species of fish that they enjoy.
Fd: Any time for fly fishing? What are your favorite species and spots?
JM: I try to make as much as I can. My wife fishes as well, so that makes things a lot easier. Our sons are still very young so we spend a lot of free time at home with them. It won’t be too much longer until we get out together. I am really looking forward to that day. We fish southern Wisconsin mostly. I travel a lot for work and use the evenings to check out some new water. Last year I got my first chance to fish for Musky in a river in northern Wisconsin. Black Earth Creek is my home stream, and of course I like to fish the Bad Axe River.
Fd: What advice would you give to the starting artists that want to get into the fly-fishing world?
JM: Work hard at it. Make sure you work on your basic technique and skills so that your work will keep progressing. This is a great community of supportive people who love to fish. Jump in there.
For more of Jonathan's great work, his store, and more, please visit: jonathan-marquardt.squarespace.com
