Tim Borski Bio:

In December 2006, a group from Men’s Journal magazine was at the Borski home in Islamorada photographing Tim in his art studio for an article on Keys characters published in April 2007. This was the first time Tim was featured in a publication that had nothing to do with fishing. With that milestone behind him now, more good things are expected for the artist who follows his own drumbeat.

Borski, 46, had humble beginnings in Stevens Point, Wisc., and was basically on his own at age 17. Freezing in unheated cabins through several winters but enjoying ice fishing, friends and the folly of youth, Borski later moved to Miami at age 23 and to the Florida Keys shortly after that.

In the Keys, his propensity for recreating on canvas things he held dear in nature blossomed. Through fortunate circumstances, such as becoming a caretaker on Craig Key, he was able to develop as an artist without much concern for earning a living. A following for his watercolor paintings arose. With tournaments clamoring for his art as prizes for the successful anglers, he was able to sustain himself as an artist and an individual.

Branching into oils and acrylics, Borski constantly innovates, so life in the Borski household is never boring. Most recently, Borski was awarded first place in acrylics in the Purple Isles Art Guild Art Show for a typical Borski painting, entitled “Mr. Snook.” It is a detailed, 30-by-40-inch painting of a fish on a bright orange-red background.

Tim, also, is an entertaining writer. Currently, Tim is writing an article for a fly fishing magazine about a recent jaunt to Ixtapa, Mexico with the person who showed him how to tie his first fly, Frank Oblak of Miami. Tim, also, writes fly tying articles for the quarterly Redbone Journal.

Tim's 2007 was a full year which included a great steelhead trip with plenty enough fish, and a trip to old world Mexico for ten days of "Do it yourself" Sailfishing. A few scattered Small mouth bass endeavors and even a really fun sight fishing big carp on fly on Lake Michigan in Door County, WI. He is limiting speaking engagements to 10 a year (2008 is filled) on account of his sons, Gus (4) and Josef (7), who are really fun to be around.

Painting has been going exceedingly well with art as varied as the Mongolian trout, Taimen for World Trout and the folks at AEG who produce the "Trout bum diaries," from Edgy blue marlin pieces for tournaments, to an array of birds in art which is one of his most in-demand subjects.

Fishing around the house (Florida Bay) was really exceptional this past year so other than the occasional business jaunt, Tim was happy to be at the rod and easel at home.