FISHING
Let Your Fishing Flag Fly: Wearable Art From PFG
Columbia Partners with South Florida Artist Bentley on the New PFG Artist Series Collection
BY: NANCY BOUCHARD
“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.”
Pablo Picasso
You are what you wear—or at least, what you wear brings you closer to what you love. If you love fishing and all things water, Columbia’s new PFG Artist Series collection, featuring South Florida artist Bentley, lets you showcase your marine life obsession in style. The vibrant, eye-catching collection features bold graffiti-inspired prints of your favorite fish and waterfowl on the back of the shirt, blending functional fashion with high-tech fabric.
Much like you can spot a Warhol print or Lichtenstein graphic, Bentley’s graffiti-infused fishing art is unmistakable. Bentley’s love for art started early. As a kid in Richmond, Virginia, he developed a passion for drawing and doodling. He knew from a young age that he was destined to be creative. His love for graffiti was sparked during his middle school skateboarding days, and by high school, he was already creating his own street art. Now, based in Miami, Bentley blends the gritty, urban energy of street art with the deep-rooted traditions of sport fishing. Species like mahi mahi, redfish, bonefish, and tarpon transform into bold, electric masterpieces. The result? A street-meets-sea collection that inspires you to hang a "gone fishing" sign on your office door.
Much like you can spot a Warhol print or Lichtenstein graphic, Bentley’s graffiti-infused fishing art is unmistakable. Bentley’s love for art started early. As a kid in Richmond, Virginia, he developed a passion for drawing and doodling. He knew from a young age that he was destined to be creative. His love for graffiti was sparked during his middle school skateboarding days, and by high school, he was already creating his own street art. Now, based in Miami, Bentley blends the gritty, urban energy of street art with the deep-rooted traditions of sport fishing. Species like mahi mahi, redfish, bonefish, and tarpon transform into bold, electric masterpieces. The result? A street-meets-sea collection that inspires you to hang a "gone fishing" sign on your office door.
Bentley’s collaboration with Columbia has gone far beyond the classic PFG T-shirts and hoodies. His art made a splash in a partnership with 23XI Racing and Bubba Wallace at the NASCAR Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Wallace’s #23 Columbia Toyota Camry sported a colorful design inspired by Bentley’s work—think hot pink, baby blue, and yellow fish scales, all honoring the mighty tarpon. The car graphics were such a hit that Bubba and Bentley teamed up for an après-race autograph session. “I suffer from a little imposter syndrome, so it was hard to wrap my head around working with Columbia,” Bentley admits. “It’s wild to be collaborating with such a prestigious brand that I’ve worn and admired for years!”
Bentley’s presence in the local Miami community is part of his larger mission to bridge the gap between street art and fishing culture. “Miami is full of color, with all the unique animals and tropical weather. I try to reflect the brightness in my art,” he explains. His connection to the city’s fishing culture is deeply personal, as the marine life fuels both his art and his love for fishing. “Living in South Florida, I am surrounded by marine wildlife and fishing. Almost everyone down here owns at least one fishing rod,” Bentley explains. “I have a lake in my backyard full of natives like largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish. All of these creatures greatly influence and inspire my art.”
“South Florida is different because of how diverse it is,” Bentley explains. “Miami is a huge metropolitan urban area, but wildlife is accessible within minutes of driving. Just south you have the amazing Florida Keys; go a little west and you find the enormous ecosystem of the Everglades, and directly east we have the Biscayne Bay. I try to capture the essence of urban life in my art style while painting my favorite wildlife of the area. The symbiotic relationship exemplifies the true essence of what I find unique in South Florida. Splattered paint, bold lines, vibrant colors…all help to represent my vision of South Florida.”
Bentley’s presence in the local Miami community is part of his larger mission to bridge the gap between street art and fishing culture. “Miami is full of color, with all the unique animals and tropical weather. I try to reflect the brightness in my art,” he explains. His connection to the city’s fishing culture is deeply personal, as the marine life fuels both his art and his love for fishing. “Living in South Florida, I am surrounded by marine wildlife and fishing. Almost everyone down here owns at least one fishing rod,” Bentley explains. “I have a lake in my backyard full of natives like largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish. All of these creatures greatly influence and inspire my art.”
“South Florida is different because of how diverse it is,” Bentley explains. “Miami is a huge metropolitan urban area, but wildlife is accessible within minutes of driving. Just south you have the amazing Florida Keys; go a little west and you find the enormous ecosystem of the Everglades, and directly east we have the Biscayne Bay. I try to capture the essence of urban life in my art style while painting my favorite wildlife of the area. The symbiotic relationship exemplifies the true essence of what I find unique in South Florida. Splattered paint, bold lines, vibrant colors…all help to represent my vision of South Florida.”
As Bentley’s art career soars, his passion for fishing remains; he’s found a balance of work, drawing, and his most important role, being a single dad. “Honestly, art has made me a worse angler,” he confesses. “I used to fish four to five days a week. The last few years it’s been maybe a dozen times a year.”
“I enjoy what I do, and it keeps me financially stable to provide for my daughter and still be present,” Bentley admits. “Being an artist lets me look at things through a different lens. I’m super competitive, so I used to focus on catching the most or the biggest fish. Now, I really take it all in and appreciate the little things that are so amazing. I’ve fished my whole life and experienced so many memorable catches. As my daughter gets older, I’ll share all those fishing experiences with her. Together we’ll be setting goals for species to catch and achieving PB’s—personal bests. That’s exciting for me.”
Columbia’s Artist Series partners with creators in the angling community, with the goal of celebrating their work and stories. “Fishing and art have long shared a close connection,” says Scott Greenwood, Columbia’s Senior Director of PFG Merchandise. “South Florida is, in many ways, the epicenter of sport fishing culture, and Bentley, with his ability to draw on the colorful elements of the region, is the perfect partner to kick off the Series.”
“I enjoy what I do, and it keeps me financially stable to provide for my daughter and still be present,” Bentley admits. “Being an artist lets me look at things through a different lens. I’m super competitive, so I used to focus on catching the most or the biggest fish. Now, I really take it all in and appreciate the little things that are so amazing. I’ve fished my whole life and experienced so many memorable catches. As my daughter gets older, I’ll share all those fishing experiences with her. Together we’ll be setting goals for species to catch and achieving PB’s—personal bests. That’s exciting for me.”
Columbia’s Artist Series partners with creators in the angling community, with the goal of celebrating their work and stories. “Fishing and art have long shared a close connection,” says Scott Greenwood, Columbia’s Senior Director of PFG Merchandise. “South Florida is, in many ways, the epicenter of sport fishing culture, and Bentley, with his ability to draw on the colorful elements of the region, is the perfect partner to kick off the Series.”
The next time you head out fishing—or want to keep the experience close—check out PFG shirts and hats featuring Columbia’s PFG Artist Series with fishing-inspired graphics by Bentley.
