Telescope Fish

 Telescope Fish

Date: 5th November, 2024
Style: Oil Pastel Sticks
Medium: Pastel Stippling and Watercolor Paper
Inspiration: Japanese Art Event at Jamaica’s National Art Gallery & Shiho Takamura

Story Behind the Painting:

Telescope Fish is a deeply personal piece that reflects nostalgia, family, and the simple joys of childhood. When I was a child, my parents bought a variety of fish for me and my sisters to care for—black moors, goldfish, swordfish, guppies, suckerfish, and many others. The experience of raising and observing these fish in their tanks remains one of my fondest memories.

Among them, the telescope goldfish, with its distinctive bulging eyes, was always a favorite. To honor this cherished memory, I decided to combine the telescope goldfish with the black moor, another of my childhood favorites. This fusion felt like the perfect way to pay tribute to those happy times.

The act of creating the fish through pastel stippling was both meditative and joyful. Each tiny dot of color gradually built up the form of the fish, which mirrored the care and patience we dedicated to those little creatures. Using oil pastel sticks allowed me to capture the delicate textures and vibrant hues of the fish, while also conveying the fragility and beauty of life—how something small can hold immense meaning over time.

This piece was also inspired by a Japanese art event at Jamaica’s National Art Gallery. It reminded me of the deep connection between nature and art in Japanese culture and the tranquility that nature provides. The simplicity of Japanese art reflects the calm and peaceful atmosphere that these fish brought to my childhood home. Through this work, I hope to preserve the memory of those moments and express my longing to someday raise fish again, just as I did when I was young.

Symbolism in the Work:

1. Telescope Goldfish & Black Moor Fusion:
   The merging of the telescope goldfish and black moor symbolizes the beauty of childhood memories and the bond of family. These fish represent the nurturing and shared experiences of caring for something together, as well as the growth of those memories into something deeper and more meaningful as time passes. They also embody my longing to reconnect with those innocent and simpler moments.
2. Pastel Stippling Technique:
   The use of pastel stippling allowed me to gradually build the form of the fish, reflecting both the patience and care involved in nurturing memories. This technique creates a textured, layered effect, adding depth to the painting and reflecting the passage of time. It also mirrors the organic, fluid nature of the fish, as well as the act of remembering, which happens slowly and carefully, dot by dot.
3. Watercolor Paper:
   The choice of watercolor paper enhances the delicate and soft nature of the work. The texture of the paper, paired with the pastel stippling, gives the painting a sense of fluidity and movement, evoking the water in which the fish live. The soft surface allows the colors to blend seamlessly, bringing out the vibrancy of the fish while maintaining an ethereal quality, just like the fleeting memories of my childhood.
4. Fish as a Symbol of Memory & Longing:
   The fish is a symbol of memory itself—fluid, ever-changing, and sometimes elusive. As I painted them, I realized they represent not only the past but also a yearning to reconnect with simpler times. The fish swim through the painting, much like memories swimming through my mind, reminding me of moments that were once filled with wonder, care, and joy. They reflect a desire to return to that peaceful state and the longing to recreate a part of my past.

Conclusion:

Telescope Fish is more than just a tribute to a childhood memory; it is an exploration of the emotional depth that can come from something as simple as raising fish. Through the fusion of the telescope goldfish and black moor and the technique of pastel stippling, I’ve created a piece that captures the essence of my childhood—those moments of peace, simplicity, and wonder. The fish, though small, symbolizes something much larger: the fragility of memory, the beauty of nature, and the quiet longing to reconnect with the past. Ultimately, this painting serves as a reminder of the simple joys that stay with us and how, sometimes, the smallest things can hold the greatest meaning.