I call this work Lost Koi because I painted it in the 1990s. Gave the original to a friend who was terminally ill and thought I would never see it again. Then I found it on a old computer. I had to work a lot with the image. I hope it loads.
5 of 5 of my scrapped characters. Her previous name was another name for goldfish, but I changed it to this one. She has no traumatic childhood and a loving family. She was meant for a story I gave up on.
Scanned from one of last years sketchbooks. Micron pens for basic sketch, added shadows with Koi watercolor pen, and used acrylic paint for the green background.
My favourite intergalactic hero (he still doesn't have a name) pulverizes the enemy. I used Uni-Pin and Artline ink pens and water-based Koi brush pens (light warm grey & dark warm grey & black).
"Pisces Koi" is a bold and intricate black-and-white ink piece that blends symbolism with fluid motion. A koi fish, known for its resilience and transformation, weaves through a bed of blooming roses, creating a contrast between movement and stillness. The fine details in the scales and petals bring depth, making the composition feel alive.
The upward motion of the koi echoes the legend of perseverance—where a koi swimming upstream becomes a dragon—mirroring the Pisces spirit of adaptation and ambition. The roses introduce another layer, possibly symbolizing beauty, personal growth, or challenges that shape us.
This piece captures a sense of quiet strength and fluidity, speaking to those drawn to themes of transformation, water energy, and the balance between struggle and grace.
