CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS & ARTISANS
Bios of the talented people who helped produce Tales of The Gladiator
Capt. Dave Lear, Editor
Dave Lear is an award-winning freelance writer and Coast Guard-licensed captain and guide, and also has a special Capt. Dave Learconnection with this project— while editor of Marlin, Lear helped guide Zane’s son, Dr. Loren Grey, to his first Atlantic sailfish while fishing off Islamorada, Florida.
As a writer Lear's special emphasis has been on destination features, boat tests, instructional articles and conservation issues. He is a recipient of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association Frank Philpott Conservation Award, and former executive director of The Billfish Foundation. In addition to his in-shore charter business, Dave has written for, and been editor of, such well known publications as Marlin, Salt Water Sportsman and Motor Boating
Margie Adkins West, Designer
Margie Adkins West has a distinguished education starting with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Texas Christian University, followed by a Master of Fine Arts (Advertising Design) from the University of North Texas which led her to the Kent/Pentagram Advanced Design Study Program at Cambridge, England.
Her career has been no less distinguished as an advertising designer and professor of art and graphic communications at several prestigious universities in Texas and Ireland. Margie has published more than seven works and has been included in over 18 selected competitions in her field. She currently has her own freelance design studio.
Capt. Dave Lear, Editor
Dave Lear is an award-winning freelance writer and Coast Guard-licensed captain and guide, and also has a special Capt. Dave Learconnection with this project— while editor of Marlin, Lear helped guide Zane’s son, Dr. Loren Grey, to his first Atlantic sailfish while fishing off Islamorada, Florida.
As a writer Lear's special emphasis has been on destination features, boat tests, instructional articles and conservation issues. He is a recipient of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association Frank Philpott Conservation Award, and former executive director of The Billfish Foundation. In addition to his in-shore charter business, Dave has written for, and been editor of, such well known publications as Marlin, Salt Water Sportsman and Motor Boating
Margie Adkins West, Designer
Margie Adkins West has a distinguished education starting with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Texas Christian University, followed by a Master of Fine Arts (Advertising Design) from the University of North Texas which led her to the Kent/Pentagram Advanced Design Study Program at Cambridge, England.
Her career has been no less distinguished as an advertising designer and professor of art and graphic communications at several prestigious universities in Texas and Ireland. Margie has published more than seven works and has been included in over 18 selected competitions in her field. She currently has her own freelance design studio.
Steve T. Goione, Illustrator
Whether it’s fishing or creating art, passion is at the core for marine artist Steve Goione. “I just think you have to be Steve Goioneyourself, be honest, and good things will come to you.” And they did.
Goione's talent, influenced by a decade of childhood summers along the Jersey shore, led him to an art degree from The Ringling School of Art and a graphic design career that evolved serendipitously into a flourishing marine art business.
What started as a pastime of painting boats and the big catch of the weekend led to illustrating diagrams for fishing books. Word of mouth following the book illustrations sparked a flurry of commissioned paintings Steve Goionewhich were eventually displayed by a high-profile boat builder. That one-time exhibit led to an invitation to be the tournament artist for a fledgling tournament in the Bahamas.
Now, more than a decade later, Goione is sought out as an artist for over 20 national and international tournaments a year, and is the official artist for Tales of the Gladiator.
Chris Barela, Sculptor
At an early age, Chris Barela showed a strong attraction to the water. He spent most of his teen years in the Hawaiian Islands and started surfing at age 14, spending long hot days waiting for the surf to pick up.
When it didn’t, he went fishing in the exotic waters or scuba dived the lava tubes—for Chris diving the reef was a magical experience, almost surreal, and one that would prove an inspiration for his sculptures.
At age 16 Chris turned surfing into a career, eventually taking the number one ranking in the US Pro Surfing Tour. When he retired from professional surfing at 26, reflecting on his past, he decided he wanteChris Barelad to bring back those exciting moments, but in a different way. He wanted more than a photo or a painting—he wanted to create dimension.
So Chris started training with sculptor Terrie Bennett and learned the art of sculpture and mold making. Then, under Michael Edge of Oregon, he learned the fine art of patina. Now, in order to successfully produce color on bronze, he carefully measures chemicals and using a torch heated to 350°-500° creates the brilliant blues, greens and golds that make Barela’s sculptures come alive, making him one of the world’s most sought after marine sculptors.
Steve T. Goione, Illustrator
Whether it’s fishing or creating art, passion is at the core for marine artist Steve Goione. “I just think you have to be Steve Goioneyourself, be honest, and good things will come to you.” And they did.
Goione's talent, influenced by a decade of childhood summers along the Jersey shore, led him to an art degree from The Ringling School of Art and a graphic design career that evolved serendipitously into a flourishing marine art business.
What started as a pastime of painting boats and the big catch of the weekend led to illustrating diagrams for fishing books. Word of mouth following the book illustrations sparked a flurry of commissioned paintings Steve Goionewhich were eventually displayed by a high-profile boat builder. That one-time exhibit led to an invitation to be the tournament artist for a fledgling tournament in the Bahamas.
Now, more than a decade later, Goione is sought out as an artist for over 20 national and international tournaments a year, and is the official artist for Tales of the Gladiator.
Chris Barela, Sculptor
At an early age, Chris Barela showed a strong attraction to the water. He spent most of his teen years in the Hawaiian Islands and started surfing at age 14, spending long hot days waiting for the surf to pick up.
When it didn’t, he went fishing in the exotic waters or scuba dived the lava tubes—for Chris diving the reef was a magical experience, almost surreal, and one that would prove an inspiration for his sculptures.
At age 16 Chris turned surfing into a career, eventually taking the number one ranking in the US Pro Surfing Tour. When he retired from professional surfing at 26, reflecting on his past, he decided he wanteChris Barelad to bring back those exciting moments, but in a different way. He wanted more than a photo or a painting—he wanted to create dimension.
So Chris started training with sculptor Terrie Bennett and learned the art of sculpture and mold making. Then, under Michael Edge of Oregon, he learned the fine art of patina. Now, in order to successfully produce color on bronze, he carefully measures chemicals and using a torch heated to 350°-500° creates the brilliant blues, greens and golds that make Barela’s sculptures come alive, making him one of the world’s most sought after marine sculptors.
Book Binding
Y&G Bookbinding was established 1969 in Brooklyn, NY, as a small bindery repairing and preserving antique and historically significant books. Y&G BookbindingTheir commitment to quality and customer service is firmly rooted in their past and they have developed a reputation for professionalism, expertise of binding with unsurpassed efficiency and enduring quality and service. With their proud heritage Y&G Bookbinders is truly a rare and unique company—just like they books they publish.
Book Binding
Y&G Bookbinding was established 1969 in Brooklyn, NY, as a small bindery repairing and preserving antique and historically significant books. Y&G BookbindingTheir commitment to quality and customer service is firmly rooted in their past and they have developed a reputation for professionalism, expertise of binding with unsurpassed efficiency and enduring quality and service. With their proud heritage Y&G Bookbinders is truly a rare and unique company—just like they books they publish.