Description

Each painting has a story.

“Mighty Mullet” was a painted to commemorate the beloved mullet, a fish.

The mullet is a topic of confusion, misrepresentation, controversy, bitterness, success and plain old love. In our part of Florida, the mullet is beloved as a white, rich, flaky delicacy when it is well salted, battered and deep fried. The mullet holds a special place of honor in my heart. For others around here, the mullet is at the crux of their story. Fishermen of yesteryear lived and died, prospered and faced ruin (like gold diggers or cattlemen of the old stories) by the fate of the mullet and the “net ban”. And for other Floridians beyond our locale, the mullet is a derogatory fish, worthless except for bait. It turns out they take on the flavor of their water, and ours is the magical balance of salty bay and spring-fed river. I do not know if their mullet really are that bad, but I know ours really are that good. Perhaps now you can see how the mention of the humble (vegetarian) fish can strike deep into the hearts of men around here.

By sharing my art in the form of cards, I hope these paintings will become a meaningful part of someone else’s story as well. I hope I have created a “messenger” fitting for the task of carrying meaningful word and wishes when it matters most.