For years I wanted to create some sort of original artwork for my dad. He’s the one who taught me to fish, and he’s the person I go with when I’m not fishing alone. Sometimes it takes years of incubation before an idea comes to fruition.
About a month back I started designing a Perch. Last summer my dad took me out to fish for them, but we only ever caught a single one between the two of us. Because of his determination and love for the fish, I set out to make a reduction Lino print for him.
I designed the fish and had carved out half of the first layer when I encountered some challenges. It led me to pause the project for a few weeks. During that time as I worked out a solution I invited my dad to go fishing with me. He and I made a plan to try again to catch perch.
We set out to a new area of the glenmore reservoir. It took us about an hour, but we found it. The spot. We caught 27 fish (21 perch and 6 pike) between the two of us, and took home fish to cook for dinner. It was delicious!
With our successful trip accomplished, I was reinvigorated. It took me a day and 2 evenings to finish printing and carving the three layers of this piece, finishing it just 2 days before Father’s Day.
This piece means a lot to me. It is a representation of a beautiful Alberta species, and one that my dad and I share a special memory around.
I look forward to fishing more with my dad, and seeing which of my ideas will come to life next!