FLORIDA SPORT FISHING MAGAZINE, PASSAGE TO PARADISE

Nov 1, 2019

DENNIS FRIEL

Spotlight with Florida Sport Fishing Magazine

Finding art in unexpected places outside of the traditional gallery invites viewers to see the everyday in a new way and the colorful bascule bridge does just that. Nearly 10 years in the making, the city’s Atlantic Boulevard Bridge improvement project was set to be highlighted by local artist Dennis Friel.

The Atlantic Current Artist Dennis Friel
Connected By Water by D. Friel, Award Winning Artist
The Atlantic Current Dennis Friel Pompano Beach Bridge
Source Article  Florida Sport Fishing Magazine

Passage To Paradise

BY CAPT. STEVE DOUGHERTY

The Intracoastal Waterway that bridges the community of Pompano Beach has long linked residents to one of the most historic gateways to the Gulf Stream. From the earliest captains like Bark Garnsey, who was part of Stewart Campbell’s dream team, to industry influencers like Lindgren-Pitman, Bionic Bait and Merritt’s Boat & Engine Works, the area has historically been a hotbed for angling innovation and continues to influence modern sport fishing exploits across the world. Most recently, an esteemed local artist added his name to the legacy, leaving a deep-rooted mark on the coastal community that’s so feverishly connected by water. Merging art and environment with vivid marine scenes adoring the newly remodeled Atlantic Boulevard Bridge, Pompano Beach’s newest landmark embraces the community’s rod-bending revelry and deep connection with its surrounding environments.

Acquiring a namesake loyal to the tasty fish that cruises its sandy shorelines, the city of Pompano Beach emanates an angling ambiance with daily life revolving around the tide chart and weather report. As part of a larger revitalization project of the beachfront and historic downtown, it only makes sense that bridge renovations would include piscatorial traditions and marine scenes from the local community. Finding art in unexpected places outside of the traditional gallery invites viewers to see the everyday in a new way and the colorful bascule bridge does just that. Nearly 10 years in the making, the city’s Atlantic Boulevard Bridge improvement project was set to be highlighted by local artist Dennis Friel. A perfect candidate, Friel grew up in Pompano Beach, graduated from Cardinal Gibbons High School, and has been captivating viewers with inspirational scenes that feature unique interpretations and expressions of the marine environment. He works across a wide variety of mediums but maintains a fluid style with a soulful and innovative approach. “I’m striving to be different and go against the grain of what’s been out there. I always push myself to learn from every project. I want to come up with new things that have never been seen before,” says Friel.

The Atlantic Current Dennis Friel Connected By Water
rEPRESENTING Pompano BEACH
Though this consummate professional has worked with a variety of mediums, this project would be largely accomplished in the studio, with wrapped panels ultimately covering approximately 3,200 square feet of the bascule piers and tender house. Like so many artists, it is Dennis Friel’s passion for his subject matter and careful attention to detail that translates into his rendition of the scene.

“Overall, I tried to create a representation of the variety of species in our area and reflect the diversity of our local marine network,” notes Friel. With several sections of artwork that include different inshore and offshore marine ecosystems on display, the mastermind certainly achieved his lofty goal 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.

REPRESENTING THE WILD
One of the most symbolic and significant characteristics of Friel’s latest commission is its name, Atlantic Harmony. According to Friel, he chose this title given that bridges inherently connect diverse people and places. The name also speaks to the harmonious nature of the different species included in the piece. All said and done, the artwork collectively depicts approximately 50 different marine species. Not only does Friel artistically illustrate local wildlife in its natural habitat, but he also tells a story with each stroke. The collage on the east side of the promenade includes the landmark 137-foot black and white Hillsboro Lighthouse lit with a unique Fresnel lens, meshing flawlessly with palm trees, sea grapes and mangroves. It then transforms into an ethereal inshore scene with tarpon, mullet and snook crashing mullet, pinfish and pilchard before transitioning to deep water scene comprising a swordfish, mako shark, squid and tuna. The representation is meant to serve as a symbol for the revitalization of the bridge and its much-needed structural improvements, as well as a welcoming gateway to Pompano Beach.

The north-facing side of the bridge is the center of attention, according to Friel, depicting in detail sailfish corralling panicked sardines. The two panels that complete the north side were painted by hand on canvas in Friel’s studio, then digitized and printed to fit the dimensions of the bridge’s infrastructure. While the scenario itself is one that connects to offshore anglers, this artwork includes deep, vivid blues and details that are truly capable of capturing the attention of any onlooker. A panoramic panel along the western span recreates the local reef environment, with mutton snapper, amberjack and various tropical fish over lively coral, while manatees, porpoises, a turtle and several other species are depicted alongside. Additional panels include striking depictions of pompano, kingfish, dolphin, wahoo, tuna and more.

The Atlantic Current Dennis Friel Connected By Water
The Atlantic Current Dennis Friel Connected By Water

POMPANO BEACH IS PROUD OF Friel’s WORK ON GRAND DISPLAY. IT’S AN IDEAL EXEMPLIFICTION OF LOCAL PRIDE FOR HOMEGROWN TALENT.

BEST VIEW IN TOWN

Underneath the bridge, pedestrians are able to get up close and personal with Friel’s work, enlivened with light fixtures mounted along the entire perimeter and a modern promenade. Those who are simply unaware of what occurs below the surface within their surrounding waters are provided an intriguing and exciting look into the world of sport fishing. With a surface-level view of the ICW and an expanse of work completed by one of the world’s most accomplished marine artists to admire, this new view just might be the best in town.

The entirety of the artwork comprises a total of six large panels, with some as large as 700 square feet. To date, this is the largest-scale project Friel has been a part of. While gaining a great deal of recognition as a world-class painter, Friel’s artistic expertise expands even further. Atlantic Harmony certainly involved painting in precise detail, but this substantial undertaking also required that Friel apply his exceptional abilities in digital artwork and illustrative design.

“The work consists of original paintings in a variety of mediums ranging from acrylic, watercolor, pastels, and also some digital manipulation, to mesh together different aspects of the artwork to form seamless transitions size accordingly for final output printing,” says Friel.

The Atlantic Current Dennis Friel Connected By Water
The Atlantic Current Dennis Friel Connected By Water

WORKING TOGETHER TO COMPLETE A VISION

FOCUS, DETERMINATION AND CREATIVITY

The completion of this project involved a very complex process that required not only focus on the creation of the artwork itself, but also on the actual shape of the bridge infrastructure and how each panel would orient. Additionally, the placement of the panels in relation to each other was a very important consideration, as the artwork had to essentially tell a story. Upon completion of each painting that comprised this project, the piece had to be individually photographed or scanned in order to produce high-resolution images that could then be included in the portraiture. The individual elements were then digitally arranged in accordance with the bridge’s architectural drawings to depict the different aquatic scenes. With full support from hometown officials, Friel played an instrumental role in this multi-million-dollar project, working for nearly a year to create the beautiful artwork we see on the Atlantic Boulevard Bridge today.

Dennis Friel has demonstrated his exceptional talent in the field of marine artwork around the world through many mediums, including covers of this very publication, but creating Atlantic Harmony was a uniquely special project. “I am proud and excited to be able to represent my hometown by sharing my artwork on such a grand stage for all my family and friends to enjoy every day for years to come,” expressed Friel. Since his time growing up in Pompano Beach, Friel has been immersed in the local saltwater culture through fishing and diving, gaining a first-hand understanding of the area’s diverse marine ecosystems. His artwork is displayed at the world’s premiere fishing tournaments, on the transoms of top vessels, and within the pages of the most respected publications. From Jimmy Buffett’s new vessel, Last Mango to Jimmy Johnson’s National Billfish Championship, the Custom Shootout and many more, his internationally recognized works of art present viewers with an interesting balance of artistic expression and interpretation of life and light above and below the surface. His talents and drive also propelled him to become a nationally recognized AIP artist for the United States Mint, an honor that only 27 artists in the United States can claim.

Sport fishing and marine life are ingrained in our local culture, and it was clear that Dennis Friel was the perfect person to represent that culture through a unique medium in one of the region’s most widely recognized thoroughfares. Along with immense skill and expertise, this project required unfaltering dedication and passion from the local legend. Clearly, this masterpiece is more than just a mural.

The Atlantic Current Dennis Friel Connected By Water
The Atlantic Current Dennis Friel Connected By Water
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

The Connected By Water® Podcast is fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and features the most legendary names and influencers in the world's fishing, diving, and waterman communities.

Check out Connected By Water's new online shop, podcast, gallery collection and more.

Post Tags: Connected By Water, Dennis Friel, Florida Sport Fishing Magazine, Partner, Sponsor
Connected By Water by D. Friel, Award Winning Artist

ARTIST, FISHERMAN, CONSERVATIONIST, & PODCASTER

Tune in weekly to our Connected By Water Podcast

Bio: D.Friel Award Winning Artist Connected By Water

We Are All Connected By Water