Studio Musings

Friday, January 18, 2013

Focus on Life 3/52 - My Friends, the Rockfish Gang

Meet my good friends, the Rockfish gang.  I haven't seen them in ages.  But Sally's prompt for this week was to 'Take Time'.  Time to play, time to do something for ourselves.

As soon as I ready her prompt, I thought of the Aquarium.  I love the aquarium! The fish are so beautiful and ugly, alien and familiar and different and cool all at the same time.  Like my personal favorites, the Rockfish.  They always make me smile.  And want to break out the camera or sketchbook.  Then there's these little guys, hiding in their barnacle condos, complete with fancy landscaping:



I spent a while trying to come up with something else to do.   Something that wouldn't take quite as much time.  But as soon as the thought popped into my mind a part of me latched on like a bulldog and wouldn't let go.  Like I'd be breaking a promise if I didn't follow through.

So I listened, and rearranged my schedule.  Showed up right as it opened.  That's definitely the time to go.


I had the dome almost entirely to myself for a good half hour. Even broke out my sketchbook!  Here's my first sketch of 2013. 



Thanks for the suggestion Sally!

40 comments:

  1. Very cool! Might this also have been the origin of the drunken octopus idea? ;-)

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  2. AWESOME!!! Good for you Karen!! I love the aquarium, there is just something so peaceful about the fish slowly swim around! Glad you were able to find some time for yourself! I love the sketches of the rock fish, I'm always in awe of people who can whip out the color pencils and just start sketching away, I can barely draw a stick figure!

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  3. Good for you. I'm glad you were able to take time to visit the fish and even break out your sketchbook., you sketch is lovely, as are your photos.

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  4. Wow, Karen, you are an amazing artist! Beautiful sketch, and very neat idea...I'm going to have to make a trip to the local version of the aquarium, Big Al's fish shop LOL! (It's better than it sounds....)

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  5. Sounds like a wonderful morning. Your photos and sketch are so appealing!

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  6. I'm so thrilled that you took time to go to the aquarium, since this was such a treat to read and see your beautiful sketch work! I used to keep a fish tank...so relaxing and beautiful to watch...lovely!

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  7. What a fun thing to do for yourself. I haven't been to the aquarium in ages, but I sure would like to go after seeing your photos. Good for you to take the sketchbook too. Your drawing is incredible!

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  8. what a fun thing to do! i'm glad you found the time, and took it! lovely pics and sketches :)
    [no. 13 this week]

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  9. There is something about the water and sea that is very calming I think. The rhythm, the life, the beauty, very restorative. I'm glad you held on and made yourself go, your sketch is beautiful as is the picture you turned into a postcard. Great post

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  10. Good for you! Your sketch is beautiful! I love the aquarium, too. My favorite - for some reason - is located in San Franciso (one of the best vacation;s I ever had). I could get lost for hours there!

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  11. What a great idea to go to the Aquarium. Looks like a beauty. Love your fish drawing. I noticed the Free Form Peyote challenge on your side bar. How can I sign up? I love free form.

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  12. Great way to spend some time and actually getting away is a good idea. Love the sketch.

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  13. Great photos, and I love your first sketch of the year! Aquariums are a wonderful way to relax and recharge!

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  14. What a wonderful treat that must have been! There's just something so soothing about watching the fish swimming around. Your photos are wonderful, and I especially loved your sketch.

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  15. That's a wonderful idea - I wish I had an aquarium close by! I like your idea of going to a place right when it opens, that's the time to be there, indeed: quiet and it seems like the place is yours. Love your photographs, and especially your sketch =)

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  16. I love your photo treatment and equally beautiful drawing Karen. I find it so mesmerizing watching fish and I too wish we had one closer by. We have to drive to Baltimore - 1.5 hours to visit.

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  17. Oh, what a great escape and your drawing is awesome! Love the fact that you had the place almost all to yourself for such a good amount of time - heaven!!

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  18. Wonderful idea - and the colors in your gorgeous drawing would make a beautiful bead palette!

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  19. What a wonderful way to spend your free time! Love the drawing - so much inspiration there!

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  20. Very cool! What a great way to spend a day.

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  21. How wonderful! LOVE the aquarium ... always a good time, and great you had the place to yourself! Really like your sketch - well done!

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  22. Some great shots of the fish. Love taking my grandkids to the aquarium!

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  23. Great way to spend some me time, great photos and fantastic sketch!!

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  24. Beautiful fish! I would love to take my boys to an aquarium.I think they would like that.

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  25. What a fantastic little getaway! Love your sketch!

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  26. Oh I wish we had a local aquarium! I'v eonly ever been to one, but it was fantastic. What a great way to take a moment and hang out with some fish. Those perfect for a little sketch time, very nice!

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  27. Very cool that you broke out your sketchbook. The aquarium sound like a fun place to relax.

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  28. Hi Karen,
    I love going to an Aquarium it is always so peaceful watching the fish swim and peek out of their hiding places. I am glad that you have one close enough for you to visit and that it was just the thing for you to spend a relaxing morning with your sketch book. Awesome sketch by the way.
    Therese

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  29. Oh, I love the aquarium! How awesome that it's your place to relax, too.

    When I was a teenager, my mom and I went to the Bahamas for a week. We went to an aquarium that was partially underwater, so we could watch the fishies in their natural habitat. It was super cool, and I keep wanting to go back. :)

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  30. Love it! And I love your sketches. And your description of fish in general--loving the words! :)

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  31. I love how this idea grabbed you and wouldn't let go! Such a perfect way to spend the time to yourself. And that sketch is lovely!

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  32. I love the aquarium and especially taking pictures, I hadn't thought of sketching but maybe my next visit.....Great story.

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  33. What a popular post- you struck everyone's fancy! The aquarium is not only fun but peaceful even when it is busy. Did you know that watching fish swim lowers your blood pressure. I am glad you listened to yourself and that you shared.

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  34. Such a cool resource to have so close! I imagine that the early hours time alone in that bubble world was very soothing and quiet. The beauty of this aquatic life is translated so brilliantly in your sketch! I could only draw stick-fish ;-)

    Enjoy the day. Erin

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  35. We go at least once a year it is one of my favs as well I don't know if I could pick a favorite but the turtle tank and the jelly fish tanks are def in the top 10! Great choice!

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  36. You are such an artist! Loved your sketches and jewelry and your post the way you described through a photo journal. Very nice read.

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  37. I forgot how much I loved going to the Aquarium in New Orleans. We received free passes for being excellent students when it first opened as a public service to the schools from the city to encourage us to do our best. Thanks for the photos, now I need to get back to those beaded Fishes that have been demanding so much of my time lately. Just keep swimmin', swimmin', swimmin'

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  38. Awesome, Karen! I love your sketch, especially the fish lips :) I saw seahorses for the first time at a huge aquarium in a casino. They were so cool and inspiring. Thanks for the great post.

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