Steve Goione brings bluewater fish species to life in his impressive art. Through watercolors, ink, and pen, Goione beautifully depicts some of the most beloved offshore species. Goione recently took time to interview with The Venturing Angler:
What attracts you to bluewater fish species?
Guess you can say I was born into it. Maybe not so much bluewater but growing up on Barnegat Bay (South NJ), I was certainly born into saltwater and inshore fishing. As I grew and ventured out on my own teenage fishing adventures, I met that next level of offshore/bluewater fisherman who introduced me to the offshore world of fishing! Today, although most of my time and clients are involved in the “bluewater” side of fishing, I enjoy bone fishing, red fishing and even a little surf fishing too!
Do you have a fish that you especially like to paint or draw? What is it about that fish?
Maybe not a particular fish, but anytime I can illustrate something that doesn’t have a “bill” on it, I tend to enjoy that. That’s not a slight to the billfish, they’re my “bread and butter,” just nice to get out of the box and have to deal with scales every once in a while! But offshore … I especially like the “Mahi Mahi” — the colors and twists and turns of the body, a very exciting and challenging fish to illustrate!
What is your favorite medium?
To work in … definitely, watercolor and pen & ink! I love being able to merge the total looseness, flowing and transparency of watercolor with the precision and boldness of black pen & ink work. That being said, when looking to purchase artwork for myself, I’m attracted to almost abstracts, I like bright loose renderings of landscapes….
Through tournaments, auctions, and other avenues, your art ends up serving the species your depict. Is it important for you to “give back” to these species?
Most definitely! These species are what fuel our industry, whether you’re a boat builder, engine or electronic manufacturer, resort, illustrator, jeweler … we have to do all we can to help “give back.” We also have to be aware of raising the next generation of fisherman and woman!
When you are on the water, what do you love to fish for the most?
I feel really fortunate to get as excited to fish for light tackle billfish in Costa Rica on a $6 million dollar sportfishing yacht as I do when I’m on a local skiff hunting redfish behind Bodie Lightouse in the Outer Banks. Can’t explain it, just can’t get much sleep the night before any fishing adventure!
To check out more from Steve Goione and also check out available prints, please click here.