For May 13th, today it's a mermaid's turn.
For this day, I decided to draw one of the Lalas mermaids along with her pet pufferfish who loves to throw water. She's Coral Sea Shells
"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.
This was originally done with ink and watercolor for the Red Book of Bashkortostan, I really like the look of classic botanical illustrations on brightly colored backgrounds :)
