Anastasia Musick with her tarpon painting “Eyes on the Prize.”
Interview by Kelly Groce
Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from and when did you start painting?
Originally I am from Kazakhstan but I have lived all over Europe and Asia (11 countries to be exact) before I was even 17! Shortly after I came along, my family endured many hardships from the changing times, causing us to constantly move.
Like many young kids, I was fond of drawing, painting and anything artistic, but I tended to dedicate all of my time to this interest over anything else. Certainly it was a good focus, as no matter where we lived or what the language, I had to start learning that particular year(s), I had consistency and stability in my artwork. I think was more beneficial to me than anything.
When I was around 11 years old, I was starting to paint and draw animals and floral art at a very rapid rate. My mother would place the finished works in shops wherever we were living at the time. By the time I was 15, I was being contacted for commissioned pieces of a very wide array of subjects, including freshwater fish, birds, and a lot of floral works.
How did you get into painting wildlife?
I have from the very beginning painted a host of subjects without boundary, but I would say that the time period I started focusing mostly on marine and wildlife was 2-3 years ago. My first saltwater piece was around that time as well.
“Dancing in the Moonlight”
Aside from art, what else are you passionate about?
Well to be completely honest, I don’t really have much time to do much else! I paint 8-12 hours a day, 7 days a week, and when I am caught up I try to go fishing or enjoy my time on the water. I take what I do incredibly seriously and try to give every ounce of energy I have to becoming better. After all, I have a lot of folks who have invested in me by owning originals. I would be doing them a disservice if I did not increase their piece’s value over time.
I do love to fish but unless it’s a subject I am completely new to, it really does not make the artworks any better to continually see the same species—at least for me it doesn’t, but what does improve the paintings is pure repetition. This is the only requirement needed to have the knowledge or capability to paint or draw anything with success.
“Nine Lives”
What is your favorite fish to catch?
Redfish and Mahi.
Favorite location to fish or travel?
When time allows, I like to take either my paddle boat or kayak to a tiny little area in Charlotte Harbor that always is harboring at least a few hungry reds! Within the last two years my vacationing has been sort of limited, but I have really enjoyed the various beaches I’ve visited in Texas and of course the boardwalk in San Antonio was a fun time.
Favorite fishing moment?
The very first redfish I caught had a little over 13 spots and I think that’s when I fell in love with fishing and wanted to dedicate that as my predominate focus.
“Ambush Queens”
How can our readers purchase and enjoy your art?
I have hundreds of pieces that I do reproductions of in small numbers, apparel and a host of other things available. Easiest way to contact me is either to go to Facebook and search me out: Anastasia Musick. Also feel free to contact me on my business page: Musick Art Corporation. You can also find my website at www.AnastasiaMusick.com
Are there any foundations or organizations you are involved with that you would like to tell our readers about?
I work with CCA Texas, Florida and several kidney research foundations. In 2019 I was selected to be the Texas CCA STAR Platinum Print Artist and would like to continue working with them and others.
“The Prospectors Bill”
The 1st Annual Swordfish Cup, a single-species tournament with a 24-hour global format, was held July 27-28, 2019, with 23 boats in the initial fleet. Paco Vela and his crew aboard Dulce Coco, a Hatteras based in the Dominican Republic, were declared the winners with a 381-pound broadbill. The Swordfish Cup was presented by Fly Zone Fishing and RJ Boyle Studio. Updates were broadcast on FaceBook every two hours during the 24-hour tournament.
