{"title":"Sea Life Paintings","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI've always loved working with bright, bold color, and few subjects give an artist more freedom to use it than tropical fish and coral reefs. The inspiration for this series actually began when I was commissioned to paint all four sides of one of the large utility boxes you see along the streets. I chose an underwater scene filled with tropical fish and coral, enjoyed painting it so much that I decided to continue the idea on canvas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI've also had the opportunity to snorkel in Maui, where I saw some of these colorful fish in their natural surroundings. Those memories helped inspire the feeling I wanted in these paintings, although I wasn't trying to reproduce any particular reef or identify every species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhile working on the first painting, I was having trouble getting the texture I wanted in the coral, so I put on a pair of protective gloves and started painting with my fingers. It worked. I liked the loose texture so much that finger painting became part of the technique I used throughout the series, sometimes combined with brushes for the finer details.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese seven paintings gave me a chance to experiment with color, texture and composition without worrying too much about the rules. More than anything, they were simply a lot of fun to paint.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"3-surgeons-3-angels-and-a-parrot","title":"3 Surgeons, 3 Angels, and a Parrot","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3 Surgeons, 3 Angels, and a Parrot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e16 × 20\" Framed Original Oil on Canvas\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is another one of my favorites from the tropical fish series. I made the \u003cstrong\u003eParrotfish the main focal point\u003c\/strong\u003e, surrounding him with the open blue water while the darker reef, Angelfish and Surgeonfish frame the scene around him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe opening through the reef also gives the painting a sense of depth, almost as though the Parrotfish is swimming out from the darker coral and into the light. The bright yellows and blues of the Angelfish add color around him without competing for attention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs for the title, \u003cstrong\u003e3 Surgeons, 3 Angels, and a Parrot\u003c\/strong\u003e, I had to laugh when I first said it out loud. It sounded less like the title of a painting and more like the beginning of an off-color joke:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Three surgeons, three angels and a parrot walked into a bar...”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI'll leave the rest of the joke to your imagination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFree shipping to anywhere in the Continental USA.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chapman Arts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48136922464514,"sku":null,"price":1200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0802\/8916\/9666\/files\/3Surgeons_3Anels_andaParrot.jpg?v=1784344425"},{"product_id":"angels-butterflies-and-tangs","title":"Angels, Butterflies, and Tangs","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAngels, Butterflies, and Tangs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e16 × 20\" Framed Original Oil on Canvas\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf the seven paintings in my tropical fish series, this one is my favorite. I especially like the strong contrast between the brilliant oranges of the fish and coral and the deep blues of the water. Orange and blue are complementary colors—opposites on the color wheel—and putting them together makes both colors appear even more intense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI also enjoyed the composition of this painting. The large coral formation creates a natural arch around the fish, while the different sizes, colors and directions of the fish keep your eye moving throughout the scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis painting really represents what I enjoyed most about creating the entire series: bold color, interesting shapes, and the freedom to have some fun with paint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFree shipping to anywhere in the Continental USA.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chapman Arts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48136958411010,"sku":null,"price":1200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0802\/8916\/9666\/files\/Angels_Butterflies_andTangs.jpg?v=1784344583"},{"product_id":"butterfly-fish-and-coral-reef","title":"Butterfly Fish and Coral Reef","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eButterfly Fish and Coral Reef\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e16 × 20\" Framed Original Oil on Canvas\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this painting, I wanted the coral reef to share the spotlight with the fish. The brilliant reds and oranges of the coral create a strong contrast against the cool blue water, while the bright yellow Butterflyfish seem to light up the scene as they move across the reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI especially enjoyed building up the texture and color in the coral. Rather than painting every little detail, I used loose, broken areas of color to give the impression of a reef filled with different shapes and growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of warm coral, cool water and brilliant yellow fish is what this painting is really about—another opportunity for me to have some fun with color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFree Shipping to anywhere in the Continental USA.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chapman Arts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48136965652738,"sku":null,"price":1000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0802\/8916\/9666\/files\/ButterflyFishandRedCoral.jpg?v=1784344744"},{"product_id":"clown-fish-and-sea-anemone","title":"Clown Fish and Sea Anemone","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClown Fish and Sea Anemone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e16 × 20\" Framed Original Oil Painting\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter experimenting with finger painting on the first painting in this series, I decided to take it a step further. I made the fish larger and challenged myself to paint this one \u003cstrong\u003eentirely with my fingers\u003c\/strong\u003e, using no brushes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bright orange and white of the clownfish really stand out against the greens, blues and purples of the sea anemone. I kept the composition fairly simple, concentrating on the three fish moving in and around their underwater home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes it's fun to forget the usual rules, put the brushes aside and just see what happens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFree Shipping to anywhere in the Continental USA.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chapman Arts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48136974827778,"sku":null,"price":800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0802\/8916\/9666\/files\/ClownFishandSeaAnemone.jpg?v=1784344831"},{"product_id":"color-cornucopia","title":"Color Cornucopia","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColor Cornucopia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e16 × 20\" Framed Original Oil Painting on Canvas\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis painting is one of my favorites from the tropical series simply because of the color. I used brilliant oranges and yellows for the fish against deep blues, purples and magentas in the reef, letting the complementary colors play off one another.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than concentrating on a single fish, I wanted this painting to feel like a small section of reef that's alive with activity. Some fish are close enough to catch your attention while dozens of smaller ones disappear into the distance and among the coral.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe title Color Cornucopia seemed appropriate because that's really what this painting is—a little bit of everything, with plenty of color thrown in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFree shipping to anywhere in the Continental USA.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chapman Arts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48136986198274,"sku":null,"price":900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0802\/8916\/9666\/files\/ColorCornucopia.jpg?v=1784344895"},{"product_id":"tropical-reef-butterflies-and-tang","title":"Tropical Reef, Butterflies, and Tangs","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTropical Reef — Butterflies and Tangs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e16 × 20\" Framed Original Oil on Canvas\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis colorful tropical reef features Yellow, Blue and Purple Tangs along with Butterfly Fish moving through the coral. I especially enjoyed using the brilliant yellows, blues, purples and oranges of the fish against the deep blue water and heavily textured reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI've been fortunate enough to vacation in Maui a couple of times, where I had the opportunity to snorkel and see some of these beautiful tropical fish in their natural surroundings. I didn't see every species I've included in the series, but I'll never forget the experience of being underwater surrounded by colorful fish and coral.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor me, this painting brings back memories of\u003cstrong\u003e a\u003c\/strong\u003e wonderful time in my life—and a world of color that most of us never see unless we put our heads below the surface. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFree shipping to anywhere in the Continental USA.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chapman Arts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48136994783490,"sku":null,"price":900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0802\/8916\/9666\/files\/TropicalReef_ButterfliesandTangs.jpg?v=1784344961"},{"product_id":"tropical-salad","title":"Tropical Salad","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTropical Salad\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e16 × 20\" Original Oil on Canvas\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTropical Salad\u003c\/strong\u003e was the first painting in a series of seven tropical fish and reef paintings I created. With the brilliant yellows, oranges, blues, greens and purples found in tropical fish and coral reefs, this series gave me a chance to do something I especially enjoy as an artist—play with a lot of color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe idea for the series actually started with an unusual project. I had painted all four sides of one of the large utility boxes you see along the streets where I live, using an underwater theme with tropical fish and coral. I enjoyed working with the subject so much that I decided to bring the idea back to the studio and create a series of oil paintings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis painting features Yellow Tangs, Clownfish and Angelfish swimming through a colorful coral reef. While working on it, I was having trouble getting the texture I wanted in the coral and background. Finally, I put on a pair of protective gloves, set the brushes aside and started finger painting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt worked so well that I ended up painting much of the fish with my fingers too, using brushes mainly for the final details. The technique gave me the loose texture and movement I was looking for and helped keep the painting bright, spontaneous and full of color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes the best solution in painting is simply to put down the brush and try something different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFree shipping is available anywhere in the continental United States.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chapman Arts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48137003073794,"sku":null,"price":700.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0802\/8916\/9666\/files\/TropicalSalad.jpg?v=1784345040"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0802\/8916\/9666\/collections\/3_Surgeons_3_Anels_and_a_Parrot.jpg?v=1784344371","url":"https:\/\/chapman-arts.com\/collections\/tropical-fish.oembed","provider":"Chapman Arts","version":"1.0","type":"link"}