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 Born in Lippspringe, Germany on September 16, 1955 while his father was serving as a Gunnery Officer in the British Army, Guy is a 10th generation Jamaican of English heritage as his family immigrated to Jamaica in 1664. From his early inspirations, Guy’s natural gift to recreate marine life has propelled him from Professor of Marine Biology to a Wildlife Artist and Photographer. Guy initially opted for a scientific education, earning high honors in Marine Biology at Aberdeen University in Scotland in 1977. He continued his formal training at the University of West Indies, where he obtained a Doctorate in Fisheries Management. In 1985, he depicted Ernest Hemingway’s famous fishing story “The Old Man & the Sea” through a series of 44 original pen and ink drawings and displayed them at an exhibition in Jamaica. Based on the positive response he received at the show, Guy began painting full time and by 1988 was providing custom artwork for use on a variety of products. Guy began to travel the world to gain more knowledge of the habits and activities of marine wildlife. He became an avid scuba diver and skilled underwater photographer. He pioneered a technique of diving and photographing free-swimming billfish. His personal observations made during these diving expeditions have better enabled him to capture the detail in his paintings that contributes to the popularity of his work. As an ardent conservationist, Guy has consistently supported “catch and release” fishing ethics for game fish around the world. He works closely with many conservation organizations to help protect global fishery resources. In 1986, he was selected as Jamaica’s representative to the International Game Fish Association and in 1992 was appointed as a Trustee. Guy’s support of the Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo and its artificial reef program was highlighted by his sponsorship in 1997 of the sinking of the “Guy Harvey Reef”. In 1998, Guy was voted the IGFA’s first ever “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the World Fishing Awards Committee. In 1999, the Oceanographic Center of Nova Southeastern University and Guy Harvey collaborated to create a non-profit Marine Research Institute. The Guy Harvey Research Institute was established to provide scientific information necessary for effective conservation and restoration of fish resources and biodiversity. Guy’s first autobiography, Portraits From The Deep, a 208 page hardbound coffee table stylebook was released in 2002. In 2004, Guy Harvey’s Portraits from the Deep, a 13 episode, made-for-television fishing series aired on Outdoor Life Network. Plans for a second season are underway as well as a one-hour documentary to air on PBS titled “Billfish, Nomads of the Ocean.” New and exciting projects including a new underwater diving adventure series titled “Underwater Realm” featuring Guy’s underwater cinematography, are being developed. Guy currently maintains his art studio in Grand Cayman, where he lives with wife Gillian and their two children, Jessica and Alex. Whenever possible, Guy takes his family on fishing and field research trips. As a result, there is a new generation of Harveys demonstrating their father’s love and respect of the ocean and all its creatures. |
 Agnew’s knowledge and respect of wildlife are channeled through his brush in exquisite detail. It is the culmination of this knowledge, love and respect, combined with his extraordinary skill of interpretation that has earned him numerous awards and accolades. In his most recent honor he was named to U.S. Art Magazine’s Artist Hall Of Fame. In 2002, Al was named Featured Artist at the Southeastern Wildlife Art Expo, the nation’s premier wildlife art show. Also in 2002, he was honored as the Featured Artist at the Dallas Safari Club Convention. Through Agnew’s art and work as a conservationist millions of dollars have been raised to benefit wildlife through work with such organizations as Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Black Bass Foundation, and the Wolf Recovery Project. Along the way, he has earned the honor of being designated as “Featured Artist” at such prestigious national art shows as the Southeastern Wildlife Art Exposition, Dallas Safari Club Convention, Pacific Rim Wildlife Art Show, NatureWorks Wildlife Art Show, the Michigan Wildlife Habitat Foundation Art Show and was the Special Guest Artist for the National Zoo Wildlife Art Show in Washington, D.C. Al has exhibited internationally for a number of years at exhibitions such as Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum’s “Birds in Art” and “Animals, The Artist View” as well as the Society of Animal Artists “Art and the Animal” annual exhibit. He was invited by the Malilangwe Artist Trust to spend two weeks painting in the field in Zimbabwe, one of only few American artists to have been awarded this honor. His work has been featured in Wildlife Art News, U.S. Art, Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, Sporting Classics, In-Fisherman and North American Fisherman magazines. Since 1993, his work has been made available as limited edition prints by Hadley House Publishers of Plymouth MN. In responding to the increasing demand for his art, the artist has also licensed such national companies as American Custom Enterprises, SceneWeavers, Inc. and the Bradford Exchange to reproduce his work on sportswear, furniture throws, collectible plates, and other products. Appreciated for their beauty, honesty, and mastery, Al Agnew’s museum quality pieces are sought after by collectors around the world. |