Chartreuse Game Changer

This watercolor study explores the vibrant energy of a chartreuse game changer, focusing less on technical illustration and more on the sensation of movement and life in the water. Loose washes and layered marks suggest how the fibers pulse and shimmer as the fly swims.

The painting is mounted on board and sealed with wax, giving the surface a soft sheen while protecting the pigments and reinforcing the sense of depth within the fibers.

Part of Katherine J. Ford’s ongoing exploration of fly fishing as both craft and abstraction, this piece reflects her interest in the moment when a tied fly stops being materials and becomes something alive.