Why would I draw a dead fish? At first, I approached it as a drawing exercise. I had been told it was good life drawing practice to finish a drawing of a fish before said fish begins to stink.
 

I should say death drawing practice, because that is quickly what I started to think about. As I drew I couldn’t help but wonder about its life and and suffering. It had been caught, cut, cleaned and now bizarrely lay dead on my table as I attempted to recreate its contours. In my mind, it grew increasingly beautiful. Though small, its life and body were cheaply traded for whatever feeble artwork my fingers could draw and then frame to hang on a wall.
 

To see the pastel “Caught” that was created from this drawing click here.

Copyright Marla J. Loss, Mixed Media, 18" x 23 1/2"