Prodi

 

oil on panel, 10" x 10"

This is a portrait of my friend Ron's beloved border collie, who passed away in December not long after my own Lola died.  Prodi was Ron's first border collie, to be followed by many more.  He loves the breed.  Prodi was special, though.  He had a fondness for fish and befriended a yellow one in Ron's koi pond named Smokey.  I've painted Smokey before and suggested him here but this painting is all about Ron's beautiful boy.

Butterfly Koi Study

 

oil on aluminum panel, 8" x 10"

Here's a quick little fish study, just trying to loosen up here and push some paint around.  This was painted in my new (old) art studio on the property where I live.  I'm excited to be in that bright space once again, having toughed it out the last 3+ years working under artificial light.  Updated 9.28.2022:  Made a few tweaks here and there.

Coy Little Koi

 

oil on aluminum panel, 8" x 6"

Angelfish come in many stripes, and even some without, such as this little koi angelfish.  I love them all, but this one in particular was fun to paint!  

Smokey the Koi

oil on canvas board, 8" x 8"

Another fish study, this one of a "pet" koi fish dubbed Smokey, who lives in a beautiful pond at my friends' property near Mendocino, California.  My friends have a bunch of border collies as well, and one of them, a handsome dude named Prodi, actually has a relationship with Smokey.  They're friends!  They go nose to nose whenever they meet up.  It's quite something to witness, so this is a very special fish.  I may try and do a larger version of him (or her?) on panel some day, but for now, this'll have to do.

Gold Fish

 

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

This was a quick study of a koi fish, and a great subject for limited time, which is all I seem to have lately.

Koi Pond Impression, Albion

iPad painting, 14" x 10"

This digital sketch was done while sitting by the koi pond at my friends' Albion residence.  The pond is fairly large (and gorgeous), but in this one I wanted to showcase the beautiful colors in the landscaping around the pond.

Coy Koi

acrylic on canvas, 20" x 20"

There is a little koi pond off the front deck at my friends' ranch and I love the juxtaposition of the green/gold algae against the purple fish, which in reality is more gray than purple yet the same or similar in value.  I painted this from a photo I had taken, just to get the hang of koi shapes.  I don't believe I've painted fish before, but it won't be my last attempt.  They're fun to paint, and I may try a plein air sketch of them at some point.