Chet Reneson

“Bonefishing” by Chet Reneson was sold by Copley Fine Art Auctions on February 14, 2018, with 50% of the proceeds benefiting Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.

An avid hunter and angler since boyhood, Chet Reneson grew up on a farm in Colchester, Connecticut and studied art at the University of Hartford, graduating in 1960. His art teacher, Henrik Mayer, emphasized the importance of simplicity and taught the values of light, dark, and strong, which laid the foundation for Reneson’s unmistakable style. His illustrious career began with the sale of a painting at the Crossroads of Sport, Inc. in New York in 1965. Reneson’s formal training, natural talent, and extensive outdoor experience established him as one of the premier sporting artists. 

“We are really pleased to have Chet Reneson as this year’s Artist of the Year,” said Bill Legg, who serves on the BTT Board of Directors. “I, more so than most, because the first piece of sporting art that I purchased (circa 1971) was a Reneson watercolor of a flock of blue bills tolling in on one of his classic wind driven, cold snowy days. I am now the proud owner of several Renesons, both duck hunting and flats fishing. Chet, thank you for supporting BTT.”

For the past 50 years, Reneson’s painting has remained true to his early mentor’s teaching, encompassing many subjects including wildlife, duck hunting, upland bird shooting, big game fishing, fly fishing, and Bahamian scenes. His work has graced the covers of Sporting Classics, Gray’s Sporting Journal, and Sports Afield, among others. He was named Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year in 1982 and the Atlantic Salmon Federation Artist of the Year in 1982 and 2001. Additionally, he is a past member of the Connecticut Watercolor Association and the Old Lyme Art Association. Two books have been published on Reneson’s work: Shadow on the Flats and The Watercolors of Chet Reneson.