Marty

Why Fish # Five

Nostalgia.

They remind us of the pet fish we had as a child or the fish we won at the fair.

I remember my first goldfish. Like so many kids, I won him playing the ping pong toss game at our local county fair. I never won anything before so I was really excited. I carried him around with me for the rest of the day…in lines and on rides and while I ate all the junkie food I could afford with the money in my little pocket change purse.

At home, after getting settled into his Woolworth's fish bowl, I watched my fish swim circles, round and round. I remember wondering if happiness was possible if you were all alone and living such a simple life. Was my goldfish happy?

Big thoughts for a little person.

Oil and cold wax on cradled birch panel.