Guy Harvey Marine Wildlife Artist
Guy Harvey has become the most popular marine wildlife artist of our time. His realistic paintings of saltwater sportfish (and lots of others) are highly recognizable and favorites of fisherman, conservationists and those who love the ocean. They are also widely reproduced in prints, books, clothing and more.
For that reason, his artwork has saved me at Christmas, and birthdays, and anniversaries year after year after year...and I told him so! I don't know Guy Harvey personally, but I did meet him. He makes himself available regularly to sign autographs and speak with like-minded fisherman and fans of his artwork.
His imprinted T-shirts are a favorite. The next time you visit ANY marina, pay attention to the clothing you see: tan colored flip-flops, long cotton shorts with multiple pockets, a Guy Harvey T-shirt, sunglasses (complete with snugger) and sometimes a cap. It's as if this is the dress code for old salts.
The above print "Hoos Next" is available for purchase at Amazon. See link below.
Meeting Guy Harvey
Just before Christmas 2005 we learned that Guy Harvey was signing autographs at Strike Zone, a large tackle store in Jacksonville, Florida. There was no question that we'd try to meet him.We waited in line to get his autograph (twice). He spoke to us briefly and the conversation was what you would hear between friends. We weren't rushed in speaking with him which I appreciated since we had waited in line quite a while. And when I asked if we could all take a picture together he said "sure" and came right around the table.
My first impression of Guy Harvey was that he's a kind man with a good heart.
Check out his Appearance Schedule here. The schedule usually starts to fill up near the holidays.
Guy Harvey:
Artist, professor, doctor (doctorate in Fisheries Management), diver, conservationist, scientist,
angler and explorer.
From Professor to Artist
Old Man and the Sea
Guy's original career led him to the field of Marine Biology and Fisheries Management, but an art exhibit in 1984 launched a different (but related) career.Starting in 1973, Guy drew at least 44 sketches depicting Ernest Hemmingway's book The Old Man and the Sea and displayed these sketches at an art exhibit in Jamaica in 1984. I imagine Guy Harvey felt intrigued and connected with Santiago, the main character in the book who struggles to land an enormous Marlin fishing from his tiny boat.
The response from the exhibit was extremely positive launching Guy Harvey's career as a full time marine wildlife artist. The sketches were published in combination with excerpts from the original book The Old Man and the Sea under the new title Santiago's Finest Hour.
The Old Man T-shirts and the book itself are available below.
Old Man and the Sea T-shirt
Scroll down for more T-shirt designs.
Guy Harvey Old Man T-Shirt
Amazon Price: (as of 01/04/2010)
Santiago's gaze is fixed on the jumping Marlin.
Here's the book I mentioned...
Santiago's Finest Hour! Special Edition Illustrated by Guy Harvey
Amazon Price: (as of 01/04/2010)
Guy Harvey's sketches are published along with excerpts from the original book The Old Man and the Sea.
Our Guy Harvey T-shirt Collection
Part of it anyway
Guy Harvey's artwork has been reproduced on multitudes of items and our favorites are the T-shirts. As you can see, we like the dark colors best. Lots of fishing makes for lots of stains and the dark colors are better for that. The shirt in the top left was signed by Guy Harvey when we met him, but the autograph is now faded after multiple washings. The green shirt in the lower right is probably the oldest shirt and the white one is the newest one.We also have The Old Man and the Sea shirt (featured above), but it was being worn at the time the picture was taken.
Guy Harvey lends advice to another artist
Here's the sailfish picture and a note. It reads "Keep up the great work"
More T-shirt designs
If you don't see the fish you are looking for, simply click on any shirt below and search Amazon with: Guy Harvey + the name of your fish.
Bull Dolphin Tee
Guy Harvey Bull Dolphin Tee DENIM X-Lg
Amazon Price: $15.98 (as of 01/04/2010)
Mako Shark Tee
Guy Harvey Mako Shark T-Shirt
Amazon Price: (as of 01/04/2010)
Guy Harvey's second calling - Conservation
Dr. Guy Harvey (doctorate in Fisheries Management) supports catch and release of gamefish around the world. And he aggresively donates time, funds and artwork to fund programs protecting our oceans, reefs and fish.A combined effort of Dr. Guy Harvey and Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida resulted in The Guy Harvey Research Institute. The GHRI researches and provides information to help preserve the underwater world. The Mission Statement of the institute reads "The Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI) conducts high quality, solution-oriented basic and applied scientific research needed for effective conservation, biodiversity maintenance, restoration, and understanding of the world's wild fishes."
Another conservation effort, The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation focuses on developing new strategies for fisheries management and encourages younger marine conservationists through learning programs. You can join the Ocean Society through a donation of as little as $25.
This photo used under Creative Commons from Flickr
"Hoos Next" signed and numbered print
Guy Harvey Print - SIGNED & NUMBERED - Hoos Next
Amazon Price: (as of 01/04/2010)
At the time of the publishing of this article, there are 2 "Hoos Next" prints available at Amazon. The word "Hoo" is a shortened name for "Wahoo", another prized fish for saltwater fisherman.
Check out my other articles
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Tides and Nautical Tide Clocks
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Time and tide wait for no man. A famous quote reminds us that time and ocean tides will never be interrupted. Beachgoers and boaters are sometimes caught off guard by the constant flowing of the oceans tides. I remember as a child vacationing at the...
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Nautical Christmas Ornaments
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Enjoy your easy going salt-life all the way through the holidays with these Nautical themed Christmas tree ornaments. Scroll down to find everything you'll need to decorate your Christmas Tree using an ocean rel...
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Fishing Christmas Ornaments
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Welcome to Fishing Ornament Headquarters! You'll find fish, fishermen, boats and other fishing accessories - all in miniature ornament form. Don't let these ornaments get away (pun intended)! Some of them have limited quan...
Links of interest
- Guy Harvey's Biography
- Gives a glimpse into how Guy Harvey became who he is today. If the scroll bar doesn't work (it didn't work very well for me), click and drag across the type as you scroll down.
- Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation
- "The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation will help ensure that future generations will enjoy and benefit from a naturally balanced ocean ecosystem where fish and other marine wildlife flourish."
- Basic Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations for Florida, United States
- Here's an excellent quick view chart with minimum size, seasons, and daily limits. From Florida Sportsman.
- Departments of Natural Resources by State or Territory (United States)
- List from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- World Wide Fishing Guide Directory
- United States, Canada and International
Have you heard of Guy Harvey? Have you seen his artwork?
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Reply
- LoKackl LoKackl Sep 16, 2009 @ 9:04 am
- Turns out I have one of Guy Harvey designs on a T from the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. Irresistible design and colors. Lovely stuff! 5*/fav
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Reply
- Michey Michey Sep 13, 2009 @ 7:29 pm
- Very nice lens, like it!
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Reply
- OhMe OhMe Sep 9, 2009 @ 1:55 pm
- Checking back to rate this great lens with 5*. I do love the story of your family meeting Guy Harvey. That is exciting!
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Reply
- stargazer00 stargazer00 Sep 7, 2009 @ 7:24 pm
- Never heard of him before but I like Guy Harvey's art work.
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Reply
- strayspay strayspay Sep 6, 2009 @ 9:44 pm
- Nice Nice Lens! I haven't heard of Guy Harvey before but will remember that name because of your lens1
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Puzzlemaker - That's Me
Lensmaster puzzlemaker has been a member since May 11 2009, has rated 420 lenses, favorited 207, and has created 32 lenses from scratch. Paige Graves donates their royalties to Modest Needs. This member's top-ranked page is "Chocolate Pound Cake". See all my lenses
For those who long to be on the ocean
From another fisherman's favorite, Herman Melville's Moby Dick
"Call me Ishmael. Some years ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen, and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off - then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me."
by puzzlemaker
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