Where graphic style meets minimalism, this piece was created to highlight the refined metallic qualities found in ocean life; in this case, the blue marlin. Revered in the sportfishing community, the blue marlin holds particular significance in Carteret County, North Carolina. Its iconic presence is woven into the visual culture of Morehead City, appearing in logos, statues, decals, and artwork throughout the area. This cultural prominence made the marlin a natural choice for the Carteret Collection. Working with metallics for this piece proved both challenging and compelling, bringing the subject to life as shifting light moves across its surface. The resulting contrast between the reflective fish and the matte, minimal background emphasizes the marlin’s elegance and distinctive form. The title Tight Lines felt inevitable for this work. In sportfishing, the phrase serves as a traditional wish of good luck before heading out to sea—luck one will certainly need in pursuit of a fish as elusive as the blue marlin.