SOLD TM8491 They Come in Pairs 36×40 oil on panel

While photographing an old quarry in Gloucester, Massachusetts recently,  I saw movement in among the shadows under the water’s surface. To my delight, I was soon watching young fish darting in and out of the shadows, their slim bodies a calligraphy of  movement. Setting my Nikon Coolpix on close-up, and zooming in as much as I could, I started shooting.  Three hours later, I had lots of pictures and an idea for putting my new friends into a painting underway at the studio. The painting itself was a subtle play of willow leaves and sunlight on water – but it needed a little something more, the telling detail, to bring it to resolution. I knew the slim bodies of the fish, echoing the shapes of the willow leaves, would be perfect. Indeed, I was so excited about the fish, I went back the next sunny day to shoot more. And a patient frog. He says hello. Enjoy.

TM8491 They Come in Pairs – detail from lower left showing layered reflections and use of layered, fine spattering

TM8491 They Come in Pairs – detail from lower right with young fish and floating leaves