Artist Bio

DENNIS FRIEL | CEO, Connected By Water

Over the course of his storied career, award-winning artist, painter, writer and podcaster Dennis Friel has pulled upon his mastery of a range of mediums to shine through and solidify himself as a top creative influencer in the marine industry, especially in his home state of Florida, which he calls the “mecca of marine art.”

Who is D Friel Award Winning Artist
Connected By Water by D. Friel, Award Winning Artist

About D.Friel

ARTIST, FISHERMAN, CONSERVATIONIST, & PODCASTER

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Bio: D.Friel Award Winning Artist Connected By Water
Dennis Friel Award Winning Marine Life Artist

About the Artist

DENNIS FRIEL | CEO, Connected By Water

Dennis is best known for bringing game fish and underwater environments to life with vivid imagery that shows the constant flow of the ocean and the power of apex predators. He works across a wide variety of mediums but maintains a unique, fluid style with a soulful and innovative approach.

His Art Spans all corners of the globe

He pulls from his experiences on the water, travels and his Florida surroundings as his greatest influence. Art admirers, legendary fisherman and ocean lovers have all embraced his approach. Dennis has built a body of work that is supported by collectors and clientele from all corners of the globe. From Costa Rica to Hawaii, Africa to Dubai, Australia to the Outer Banks — if it’s Connected By Water®, chances are you will find his artwork there.

National & Local Recognition

In 2019, Dennis’ talent and drive earned him national recognition as an AIP artist for the United States Mint. He has been honored twice as the Billfish Foundation’s Artist of the Year (2017 & 2022). In 2019, Dennis and his Connected By Water studio received the Arts & Culture award from the Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce, followed by the Small Business Champion Award in 2022 and the chamber’s President’s Trophy in 2023. Additionally, he served as the Official Artist for the College Football National Championship game in Miami, Florida, in 2020, utilizing his talents to raise funds for the NCAA beneficiary Extra Yard for Teachers. During his previous role as a Creative Director in the music business, his projects garnered over 30 internationally recognized design and advertising industry awards, and he completed work for some of the world’s most renowned record labels and artists.

World’s premier fishing tournaments

Dennis Friel’s artwork is displayed at the world’s premier fishing tournaments, graces the jerseys of the world’s top fishing teams and featured within the pages of the most respected outdoor publications. From Jimmy Buffett’s vessel, Last Mango to Jimmy Johnson’s National Billfish Championship, the Custom Shootout and many more, Dennis has worked with the elite of the elite.

Large-Scale Projects

Thousands of boaters admire this artist’s large-scale works adorning the Intracoastal bridges of Pompano Beach, Florida, every week. “Bridges are designed to connect people to places and each other,” Dennis says. “Being able to complete this work reflects my sense of pride for our oceanic community that is so tightly bound to the water.” As well, Dennis’ public art murals and outdoor custom projects can be seen on buildings, boats and establishments throughout South Florida. Being able to create these grand works of art is one of Dennis proudest achievements.

A true conservationist
As a true conservationist, he holds his support of our natural resources and fisheries unquestionably close to his heart. His collaborative work completed with conservation-driven organizations such as the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), Project SeaSafe, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT), The Billfish Foundation (TBF) and many others, has been done with a great amount of purpose.
Charitable Organizations
He also uses his creativity to help countless amounts of charitable organizations throughout his local community of South Florida, including raising over $70,000.00 in donated funds for Hurricane Relief efforts since 2019. As well, Dennis and Connected By Water continually contribute to their community by donating time, creativity, artwork and apparel to some amazing advocacy groups like Fishing for Muscular Dystrophy, Boys & Girls Club of Broward County’s Jim and Jan Moran Club, Jose Wejebe Foundation, Scuba 4 Good and many others.
An artist, fisherman, loving husband

Dennis Friel is an artist, fisherman, loving husband and father of two children. Along with a dedicated staff, he operates a full-time art studio, which he’s labelled Connected By Water®. Servicing clients with custom artwork, painting commissions, murals, custom apparel, boat wraps and accessory printing needs, they continue to build upon their line of branded apparel and private artwork collections.

Client highlights include

Some client highlights include:

The United States Mint, Papa’s Pilar Rum, Star brite Solutions, Maui Jim, Fin-Nor, Pure Fishing, Seminole Hard Rock, Pelagic, Scales, Tunaskin, Olukai, Waypoint, Margaritaville, Last Mango Boatworks, Hall of Fame Coach Jimmy Johnson, Fish Hard Events, Sony Music, Universal Music Distribution, Warner Bros. Records, Amazon, Target, Meijer, Best Buy, WalMart, Starbrite Solutions, IGFA, CCA Florida, The Billfish Foundation, Chaos Fishing, Real Deal Bait & Tackle, SeaVee Boats, Viking Yachts, HMY Yachts, SI Yachts, The Bergeron Family, Moyes Lures, SpoolTech Lures, Marine Max, Marlin Magazine, Angler’s Journal, Florida Sportfishing Magazine, Taco Marine, Taha Marina, Hodge Marine, Boathouse Marina, Blue Water Chairs, Hooker Electric, Big Dog Tackle, Abaco Beach Resort, Momoi, HyPower, Ship Shape TV, FlyZone Fishing, Unfathomed with Capt. George Gozdz, Pacific Fins Resorts, Flagship Bank, The University of Miami, The University of Florida, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of South Florida, Whiting-Turner General Contractors, Murray Logan Construction, Burkhardt Construction, Kiewit Construction, City of Pompano Beach, City of Fort Lauderdale, City of Coconut Creek, Seminole Coconut Creek Casino, City of Port St. Lucie, The Coconut Creek Promenade, Fish House & Oyster Co. St. Augustine, The Cove Waterfront Restaurant and Tiki, Papa’s Raw Bar, Winterfest, Gale Force Twins, ROFFs, Bluewater Movements, Joey Accardi and Ram Trucks, Gulfstream Brewing Company, Native Lager, Sailfish Brewing Company, Joe Bonamassa, Stick Figure Band, Sammy Hagar, South Beach Seafood Festival, Pompano Beach Seafood Festival, Fish Hard Events, Jimmy Johnson’s Fishing Tournaments, Meat Mayhem Tournaments, Skip’s Tournaments, Custom Shootout, Sailfish 400, Dust ‘Em Off, Caso De Campo

…and countless other premier-level fishing tournaments and events. The directory of top-end, globally dispersed charter vessels, sportfish and center console tournament teams serviced is too long to list.

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D. Friel, Custom Art Murals Pompano Beach Atlantic Bridge
D. Friel, Marine Life Artist, Founder of Connected By Water
Award Winning Artist D. Friel, Connected By Water

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Dennis Friel Award Winning Fish Wildlife Artist

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Award Winning Artist D Friel Connected By Water

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Connected By Water Podcast by D. Friel Award Winning Artist

About the Podcast

By Artist D.Friel

Our episode’s showcase some of the biggest and most prolific names in the world’s fishing, diving, waterman, sportsman and conservation communities. The Connected By Water® Podcast’s goal is to highlight the fabric of that culture with a focus on the preservation and restoration of our natural resources; primarily in the great state of Florida and beyond. We make every effort to feature the most authentic influencers from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines and outdoorsman philosophies. This helps to further inspire and sustain the safeguarding of our land and waters for current and future generations to use, enjoy, explore and steward. 

Our deep, solid and long-standing relationships with our like-minded sponsors and partners Papa’s Pilar Rum, Star brite Solutions and Olukai help to make it all possible. Furthermore, we openly promote and back conservation-driven organizations such as the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), Project SeaSafe, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT), The Billfish Foundation (TBF) and many others, for their great support of the commonality that we are all Connected By Water®.