Koi Study No. 10 (50 x50cm)
**Words by Amber L-J**
During the winter months, I cocoon myself in fluffy and fur-lined clothing, with a tangerine orange scarf wrapped around my neck. Before I leave the house, I can already hear the chilling gust of wind whistling through the trees, as their branches tap impatiently on the windowpane. I see it as my invitation to come outside, my gloved hand opening the door.
I step from the cold, hard tiles of my kitchen onto the soft, damp grass. I cross my arms as I walk, wrapping my coat around myself even tighter. With my winter boots on, I look downward and imagine my toes sinking with each step, barefoot as I was in summer.
I finally reach the bottom of my garden and sit down on the welcoming, ligneous bench. In enduring the elements, the splintering paintwork reveals the aged wooden planks underneath, encased by steely iron arms. Once raised from the ground and in prime position, I take the fish food from my pocket, sprinkling it over the surface of the pond.
I stare into the deep, petrol blue water, overshadowed by the stirring trees, and search for a reassurance of life.
I begin to make out shapes of orange before the koi fish reach the surface, slowly then all at once, their mouths open to feed. My eyes flicker between each fish, watching their rhythmic tails dance with excitement. Their eager movements disturb the once still water, creating vast ripples which travel to the edge of the pond.
I may battle against a bitter breeze as I return home, but my soul is warmed by feelings of contentment and relief.
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‘Koi Study No. 10’ is part of a series of paintings, which capture the vibrancy and energy of the Koi fish. This painting was also featured in the Leicester Society of Artists online exhibition, ‘Inspired April’, in 2020.
Koi fish are exceptionally unique in their ability to swim against the current and travel upstream, which is why they symbolise perseverance in Japanese culture. They are also very resilient as they can survive all year round, in water temperatures as low as 0°C.
In this painting, our elevated perspective enables us to view the calming blue ripples contrasted by the dynamism of the strikingly orange fish. The shadows along the edge of the composition, possibly from trees positioned above, is further darkened through use of a carbon black oil stick. This painting appears as a fixed moment in time, yet it actively feeds into our imagination and captivation.
In choosing this subject matter, Lisa Timmerman remarks:
“Pretty koi fish capture my fascination, as they dip up & down in the water, changing colour as they break the surface tension.”
Lisa Timmerman’s Koi Fish Paintings
To view this and more of Lisa’s koi fish paintings, please check out her website.
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