About the Artist, Evan J. McLendon

Born in Clearwater, Florida, Evan began his love of the arts in grade school.Encouraged by his parents and Art teacher, he created pastel pieces for art shows in middle school where he won Best of Show several years.He also started exploring his talents in music playing the saxophone for concert and jazz band, as well as playing major roles in plays and musicals.

His talents in art and music grew in high school at Palm Harbor University.He joined the Marching Band and continued to play the sax in concert band and jazz band where he played on stage his senior year with The Peppers, and his marching band played several times with the local saxophonist Mindy Abair. Although beginning in pastels medium, it was during this time that Evan experimented with pen and ink, acrylics, and watercolors.One of his acrylics was used to promote the fundraising concert with The Peppers entitled “Jazz at the Harbor.”

While earning his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at USF, he was prompted by his dad to paint a fishing series for a newly acquired marina.Watercolors are what Evan decided to use for Ozona Fish Camp’s apparel line art.It was through the marina that Evan got his first paid commission; a watercolor painting.Since then he has chosen acrylics, pen and ink, and mixed medium to express his latest creations.