Elena Mendez – Fish Out of Water

I painted this piece for my AP Studio Art portfolio. It is my interpretation of feelings related to infatuation – I specifically reflected this in the composition of the piece, where I strived to make a detailed and significant, yet disorganized and chaotic arrangement.
I used fish as my main subjects to describe new or unusual feelings and worries – though fish are graceful creatures, I thought that the specific anatomy of their stark pupils and sometimes gaping mouths would be a clever, fun way to illustrate feelings of discomfort or surprise. The aquatic setting of the scene contrasts the aforementioned discomfort and surprise, juxtaposing ideas of uncertainty with those of calm, quiet, and serenity.