[Sangreaal]

Yep, my art is totally dependent on the photos I use, and being able to find really photogenic fish and be able to photograph them in my leisure is a luxury not often found without actually owning the koi themselves.

Here is a top view vignette of a bowled SJKoi Hariwake I did a while ago.


Pretty, but pretty boring as well. I prefer top shots in a more energetic setting, ideally something that can tell a story or invoke a feeling.





(this one of my Sakai Isawa Kindai Showa is a work in process--I'm not quite done with it yet)

But I always seem to come back to koi faces, even in the top shots. I don't know why I'm so compelled to do so, but I have to show their living personalities, not just their innate beauty.

Another work in process:


And finally, Indigo, my Hiroshin Soragoi:


My side and close up facial shots come from the QT, and yes, it's an aquarium indoors. That's where Bindi is right now as well as some other fish that won't be going in the pond until Spring. I get to know these fish really up close and personal this way, and what I see every day in my own special way is what you get to see in my art. That's really really how I see these fish, and the camera captures those split second moments that I could no longer share with anyone else than I could ever possibly suspend time to do so. After they're in the pond, these kinds of shots are no longer available....






Do I go on tour? Oh wouldn't that be nice! Paid to visit and hang out at other people's ponds taking a gazillion pics (that's what it takes, btw) to get those sterling slices of time to work with. But no, I haven't been commissioned to do that...yet.

Quote: Originally Posted by The Pond Digger Thanks for your detailed description. Very interesting so say the least. Can you post some top view work you have done? Origianlly, I thought you would wake up one day and say, "l'm going to master piece a wonderful Showa this week and then Shiro Utsuri next week and then move onto Kumonryu (notice my taste?) and so on. HOWEVER, it looks like the fish you have available to photo can dictate what you produce. I'm sure you can change the pattern on the fish randomly with your computer program BUT now I think just how unique your style is. You are actually producing enhanced pieces from actual fish! Even better! Do you go on tour? I don't imagine you would be bowling every fish you want to do art on and then showing them in a side viewing tank for photographing. IS IT AN UNDERWATER CAMERA? I imagine your talent could be in high demand. You know, visiting the home of Steven Speilberg and photoghraphing is prized Koi and then producing art to be hung in his library or media room. YOU SHOULD KNOW ME by now! Thinking big.