I’m Heidi Wirtner, The Fishing Artist
A mixed media artist, lifelong art educator, and conservation-minded angler from Western Pennsylvania.
Art has always been part of my family’s DNA—my grandfather was an artist and teacher who filled our home with oil landscapes and still life’s, while my grandmother created intricate needlework. Those traditions of creativity and craftsmanship shaped me, just as much as fishing with my dad on the Allegheny River shaped my love for water, wildlife, and the fish that now appear in much of my artwork.
When I paint, I'm not just creating an image. I'm carrying forward memories of my father who passed away more than 20 years ago, of my mother who encouraged my creativity, even though she never stepped into the boat, and of my grandfather who taught me to draw trees and rabbits. My art is about honoring those who came before me while holding on to the wild beauty that still surrounds us. Much of my work is inspired by trout, bass, steelhead and other fish, reflecting my lifelong love of fishing and water.
For me, nature is sacred. I feel closest to God when I'm watching a trout rise to the surface or standing still at the edge of a small stream. As the Tony Blake saying goes, “Some men go to church and think about fishing, and others go fishing and think about God.” That sums up my art. Every painting is a prayer, a reminder that creation is worth protecting. Original art can hold stories that photographs or souvenirs never will.
That feels especially urgent now. We have seen chemical spills devastate communities, fish populations decline, and waters polluted with chemicals. My work, whether a mixed media fish painting or a piece rooted in water and memory, is a response to grief and reverence. I paint fish because they carry both fragility and strength. They remind us of what is at stake if we neglect the waters that give us life.
Collectors tell me my work resonates because it connects beauty with responsibility. For me, loving this country means caring for its land, its waters, and its creatures. My fishing art blends memory, conservation, and the emotional pull of wild water.
If you believe memories matter, if you see God in rivers and forests, and if you want your home or office to reflect both beauty and the values you live by, then my art was made for you. Let's find the piece that tells your story, honors your values, and becomes part of your legacy. Explore my available original artworks and start your collection today.
