Jim Tingey, The Flat Taxidermist, Brings His Fishy Art to OCAC’s After School Art Program

Jim Tingey, is a retired teacher, an avid catch and release fly fisherman and a watercolor artist from Winnetka, Illinois, who calls himself a “Flat Taxidermist.”  Jim had been angling and painting for over 50 years when he brought the two together to create “Catch and Release Artwork” an alternative to killing and mounting a sportsman’s catch for memorabilia.   Jim’s paintings memorialize a trophy catch by capturing it in the form of a beautiful watercolor print, complete with a hand written section containing the date, size, and location of the catch.

   

When asked how he learned to create such beautiful paintings and who influenced him, he responded, “I’m a doodler, you know, self-taught. I just kept at it, drawing was something that I like to do and I’d take a class or something but I just kept at it and eventually, I started selling art from time to time.”

But Jim’s “fishy” artwork isn’t just for fishermen… His work has been juried and exhibited in art shows, sold in galleries and even fishing stores around the world.  He also donates his artwork …and his time to non-profits to help raise funds and influence his favorite causes; conservation, fishing and programs for children.   To that end, Jim spent Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at the Oxford Community Arts Center (OCAC) working with the children in After School Art. 

Diane Stemper, After School Art Coordinator & Educator at the OCAC welcomed Jim to the ASA program this week.  “Part of my goal with After School Art is to introduce professional artists to the kids and to demonstrate that professional artists make their living in a number of ways” says Diane. “Jim will show the kids examples of his artwork which include watercolors of fish that he and other fisherman have caught. Jim has recently retired from teaching fourth grade education but still has a passion for introducing and teaching children about the different expressions of art.”  Another goal of Diane’s is to bring in professional artists that specialize in a unique style. “The artist adds tremendously to the breadth of ideas and techniques that the kids are exposed to,” Diane said. “Jim will provide the kids with the materials and instructions to paint a fish using the medium of watercolor.”

Some of the paintings created this week will be open on display during the After School Art show October 14th, and will remain on display until November 4th. 

After School Art is funded in part by The Oxford Community Foundation, a Target Store Grant, and the Talawanda Miami Partnership, as well as the Kiwanis Club and Oxford Youth Empowered to Serve.