Koi

Koi   oil/wood panel   18 x 24 x 1.5

Paintings of Koi fish are not unusual.  In fact, a couple of artists are known for their large eloquent studies of their color and movement.  But my reason for painting this work was strictly sentimental.  This celebrates our son and daughter-in-law earlier in their relationship. 

Resolution of this work came very very slowly...partly because I worked on a gessoed wood panel, which is not my norm.  This surface responds completely differently to stroke-making, causing a bit of tension on my part.  And, I suppose, partially because there is a bit of a story here.  Most of my figures are "lost in space", allowing me to meander between the figure and the ground, eliminating much along the way.  But here, in this instance, when telling a story, the pieces must in more in tact.  I am satisfied.