Koi Images of Hawaii Pastel by P O'Shields Contemporary Artist

Koi Images of Hawaii by P O'Shields Contemporary Artist

12.5 x 19.5 Pastel on Archival Paper
copyright P O'Shields 2010

My Inspiration: Koi are the image of Serenity and Peace. 

The history of Koi is as mysterious as they are beautiful. Popular conviction would have us believe that Koi are indigenous to Japan. In fact, they are even mistakenly called “Japanese Goldfish”  They are actually from the Carp family.

Koi are believed to originate from eastern Asia, in the Black, Caspian, Aral Seas and China. Carp fossils have been discovered in South China dating as far back as 20 million years ago. Some varieties are known for their hardiness, which records claim can live for long periods of time if simply wrapped in wet moss continuously kept damp.

The earliest written records of Koi, or Nishikigoi, (Japanese for "brocaded" carp) were first described in writing from a Chinese book written during the Western Chin Dynasty, around 265-316 A.D. At that time they were described as white, red, black and blue.

Koi are believed to have been introduced to Japan with the invading Chinese and a first account of them being kept by an emperor in Japan, apparently dates Back to AD 200.

I hope you enjoy these images of Koi.  I paint them en plein air from ponds in Hawaii.  This should be framed using a mat covered in rice paper with Japanese scroll proportions, the frame should be black matte hand rubbed and narrow.  I can give you references on a framer for this traditional method.