Jacqueline Stella - Music, Water Colours and Fly Fishing

Home Country: USA Website: www.jacquelinestella.com SoMe: www.instagram.com/jackiewatercolorart/

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got into painting?

Before my painting career, I have been a concert violinist all my youth. I’ve traveled to beautiful cities around the world to perform in concerts and share my passion. I was fortunate to be honored with scholarships and sponsorships as well as numerous awards such as Royal Orchestral Society in England and Yale University Alumni Association. While I was earning multiple degrees from prestigious schools in Europe and the United States, I have met many inspiring artists and scholars in various fields. In addition, the most awakening experience was teaching underprivileged students and performing for people who were suffering from terminal diseases.

I believe in the healing power of music and art because I have seen the positive changes it can make in people. Even though music has been my heart and soul, I’ve made a decision to leave my career as a musician and become an artist. But the truth is, I’ve never left one to be the other. I always loved both ever since I was little and I have always been painting throughout my life. I’ve always played music dreaming the most beautiful paintings, and I’ve always been painting beautiful songs without words. How I grew up, what I have learned and experienced, what I have achieved as a musician… I believe all these make me who I am as an artist and reflect in my art.

What made you decide to mainly use water colors?

Watercolors makes me breathe. Watercolor is clear like fresh air. Watercolor flows like a beautiful continuous melody. Every fish I paint is dancing alive freely in water. I feel intoxicated with magic when I paint watercolors. I especially love the sophisticated tone of watercolors that no other medium can offer.

You paint a lot of fish, fly fishing and fly tying motives. What has compelled you to do so?

I used to do fashion illustrations and whimsical illustrations. But there are limits in illustration and designs and I am not the type of a person who can enjoy doing the same thing over and over. So I wanted to free my spirit by painting my favorite as a lover of wildlife and fly fishing.

The majority of angling artists paint fish because they are master fishermen/ women and they know fish so well. I am the opposite. I don’t know much about it, and that makes me dream of it all the time. It is full of mystery to me. There is so much life under the water that we will never fully understand. Fish are such exquisite creatures living in their own amazing underwater world. That’s why I love to paint the actions and emotions of fish as an admirer rather than just illustrating what they look like.

I also love to paint interaction between people and fish. Two living creatures from two different world meet for a brief moment... How fascinating is that?! It is breathtaking if you think about it. I wonder what fish think when they see us. How do they feel when they are released back in the water? That is why I love painting fisherman portraits. Nothing is more exciting for me than painting complex emotions that were exchanged at the split second. The things you cannot just express in words.

One of the main attractions that separates fly fishing from spin fishing is fly. Flies are not only aesthetically pleasing but they also have a significant meaning in them. Have you thought about how fly fishermen/ women spend endless hours acquiring knowledge about nature, preparing materials, and creating the fly with incredible amounts of patience, dedication and craftsmanship…?

I was blown away when I realized; it is not just a shape of an insect or fish, but it represents the soul of fly fishermen and fly tiers. This is the reason why I started my “Art of Fly Tying” Series paintings. My painting of a fly is not about a random beautiful fly someone tied. It is about the soul of fly fishermen that connects us with nature. It is about you. Can you feel that through my painting…?

How did you get started fly fishing and why?

My access to outdoor sports activities was limited since you cannot afford a day off due to injuries as a violinist. But I do remember how much my dad enjoyed fishing. Fishing was his favorite hobby. Once in a while we all went fishing together as a family, and I remember his smiles vividly. It seemed like his work stress was all gone when he was fishing in the nature.

Pablo Picasso said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” I cannot agree more. Then, during my college years, my best friend used to take me to rivers and the ocean. I immediately felt a deep connection in my heart and soul because fly fishing is a fine art without a doubt.

What is it about fly fishing that intrigues you?

Fly fishing is truly fascinating. I think a fly rod is just like a Violin bow, crafted by artisans, a musical instrument that sings. When you cast a long beautiful loop, I hear the fly rod sings the music of nature like the violin sings the music of people. I am obsessed with the beautiful casting people make.

It probably sounds silly, but I can watch people casting for hours. And the handle shape of certain fly reels reminds me of the F hole (sound hoIe on the violin). And of course, the flies, the fabulous colors and patterns of flies.… How musical and artistic, right? I love everything about fly fishing even without catching any fish.

How do you split your time between fly fishing and painting?

Painting is my passion so it gets the top priority of my time. But even when I am not out on the water, my mind is always somewhere near the water in the wild. And when I am fishing, I am always dreaming about being in my imaginary painting.

In your opinion, do fly fishing and painting complement each other – and if so how?

Absolutely. There is a strong connection between fly fishing and art. Do you know, music, art, math and science are all tightly connected?

They are inseparable. Albert Einstein was a scientist and violinist, Leonardo Da Vinci was a scientist and artist. Just like that, fly fishing and art are interwoven with each other. Beside all the fun and exciting part of catching fish, fly fishermen/women appreciate the artistic elements in fly fishing.

The purpose of my art is to help you relive and magnify your most wonderful memory through my artwork when you cannot physically go fishing.

Has fly fishing helped you become a better painter – or vice versa?

Fortunately, I live in Connecticut where I can go flyfishing both in freshwater and saltwater. I love being out there enjoying the nature. Fly fishing shows me a world I have never seen. Because the destinations for fishing trips are not the same as people’s usual travel destinations. One time, when I was fishing in Montana, there were thousands of mayflies and beautifully orchestrated rising trouts. I literally cried and just stood in the water captivated by the marvelous nature. Without fly fishing I wouldn’t have been able to experience that. And these enchanting experiences are the inspirations for my paintings.

What are your aspirations as a fly fisher?

I was planning to visit Cuba to catch permit in spring 2020. Permit is one of my favorite fish and I was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, my trip was cancelled because of Pandemic lockdown. Hopefully I will be able to make a trip to Cuba soon. Despite the fact that I have traveled to many countries around the world, I haven’t really seen the wild life side of them. So many of my future trips will include fly fishing for sure. Fishing in Norway, Iceland, Russia, Ireland, Italy, and Seychelles are on my next bucket list.

Do you have any cool projects coming up; fishing- or art wise?

I am currently working on a couple private commissioned projects. Even though I do constantly receive collaboration requests, it is not that easy to find a good fit. But I am always open for a new project and collaboration that fits my philosophy.

We’ve had a look at your t-shirt collaboration with Simms. Very cool! How did that collaboration come about?

Thank you! It came totally as a surprise. Simms contacted me that they wanted to purchase my artwork and commission projects. I was thrilled because we all know that Simms has been one of the leading brands in the fishing industry for a long time. It is so exciting to see a major brand like Simms introduce artist series and I feel honored that my art is a part of it. Currently, two of my paintings (Bluefin Tuna and False Albacore) are out in Men’s Solar Tec Tee Ocean collection. Two additional paintings of mine (Mahi Mahi and Striped Bass) should be coming out soon. Hope to see many of you rocking the shirts!

Any advice to fellow fly fishermen, who aspire to do fish art?

Paint what your heart tells you to do. Unlike illustrations/designs, painting should be beyond the technical questions. Some paintings are lifeless and worthless while some are priceless. The magic of art is in the artist’s heart who paints. That gives life to art and makes each artist and each artwork unique and priceless. Paint your heart and soul and you will see it come to life.