EELGRASS NURSERY RHYME
ACRYLICS ON CEDAR W/RED OAK FRAME
SUMMER 2018

     Eelgrass beds in Pacific coastal waters play an important role in providing habitat for young fish and other organisms.  They form the base for a productive marine food web by providing food and shelter for many species of young fish, especially salmon, and also in turn provide food for migrating birds and other animals.  With salmon numbers dwindling, and others like orcas dependent on them, protecting remaining eelgrass beds and encouraging their regrowth in other areas is of paramount importance.  In light of this, I was inspired to do a painting which would symbolize the importance of healthy eelgrass beds.  For artistic inspiration, I initially was inspired by a set of Kiyomizu ware plates with fish similar to the ones I painted.  The water on the outside was inspired by paintings by the Rinpa School artist Sakai Hoitsu.  I made the frame for this painting out of red oak using pegged, hand-joined, mortise-and-tenon construction methods.   I used the Japanese technique (shou-sugi-ban) of charring and oiling the oak to finish the frame.
 
DIMENSIONS:           HEIGHT:  15 1/8 inches
                                    WIDTH:  15 1/8 inches

                                                                           PRICE $400

Kiyomizu ware dish killifish＆Cherry blossom petals Seikanji Maryu Sugita

Sakai Hoitsu: Summer & Autumn Flowers