This abstract postcard is a painting of guppy fish, according to its painter, Brian Moss. Various fish-like shapes of different colors can be seen seemingly swimming about in this playful colorful illustration.

With a weight of 5 grams, these postcards weigh more than the guppies depicted. Each card is comprised of about 50% post consumer waste (something that has already had at least one life cycle).

2011
20" x 30"
for sale
acrylic, alcohol ink

ARTIST RAMBLING

The fancytail guppies I kept in my studio for approximately 15 years served as endless inspiration for my art. This is another take on my tank with a more impressionistic look, achieved using alcohol based inks and various solvents.

Guppy fish are unusual in several respects. First, they give birth to live fish which is quite a remarkable sight. Secondly, the males, not the females, are the ones who exhibit vibrant markings. The fun stuff: it is only when they are completely comfortable in their environment and safe from predators that they really begin to shine these colors over successive generations. In fact, in the wild guppies are rather dull as a survival mechanism.

I didn't breed them, although I did purposefully introduce colorful varieties, which over time, turned my tank into a rainbow smorgasbord. Ultimately I realized that the indoor tank I had them in, while plenty large enough, was not adequate to replicate their natural habitat and that they were indeed too safe and perhaps too colorful. It would be nice to have a pool sized outdoor pond for them if one were so inclined, I digress.