ARTIST'S BIO Paul describes himself as a fisherman first and a self-taught artist second. Raised in Florida, he has fished her beaches, backwaters, bays and bayous since childhood. He has only recently begun looking at fish as an art-form and not food. He knows fish, their shapes, color, habitat and habits. He brings the knowledge of a Florida fisherman to his work. His art has an awareness of realism, a striking exactness and attention to detail not always seen in wildlife prints and paintings. The only thing he likes better than painting fish is catching fish. He summed it up himself in a 1998 Weebstar Press interview with these words: “When I catch fish I look at them, I have liked catching and then looking at fish since childhood. I see their lines, colors and grace…they are perfectly engineered for what they do. I like painting fish…don’t ask me to paint a canvas of your boat, your children or your dog, I can but I won’t. I paint fish…I don’t like painting rocks either; seaweed, pelicans, palm trees, island parrots, surf dashing on a sandy shore or other such sea scrapes, you won’t see them in my paintings. I know people like that stuff but I don’t… I paint fish. I catch fish…I eat fish…I paint fish.”   TESTIMONIAL We have a single testimonial because it is such a good one. Anthony and Joann Manili are long time Anna Maria Island residents. Fishing and crabbing is their life, their profession and their passion. I have provided their picture, their website and their testimonial. We appreciate their words and their friendship. "I have fished the waters of Anna Maria Island from childhood. I've been a commercial fisherman all my adult life. Joann and I consider ourselves advocates of responsible use of our Florida waters and her resources. We are daily engaged in something to do with fishing. We have caught and know by sight every species available by hook, net or trap in gulf bay and flats surrounding our island home. Paul's paintings of Florida fish are outstanding...they look like what we catch! His paintings and prints are everywhere in our home and store...we are two of his best fans." Captain Anthony and Joann Manili ANTHONY'S CRABS Anna Maria Island, Florida
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