Long-time blog readers may remember that a few years ago I exhibited some biological designs at a scientific conference. These works included an image of some zebrafish, which are small, delicate fish that are widely used in studies of genetics and development. The zebrafish design sold at the exhibition, and it was the prelude to several commissions for zebrafish designs, which were intended as gifts for zebrafish scientists. Indeed, since then a lot of these designs seem to figure prominently on Pinterest pages of zebrafish material.
Well, a while back I was asked to do yet another commission of zebrafish, which resulted in these two designs. The first one is a fairly conventional image. showing a school of little glittery fish. They were done with an applique of Mylar, which was then overstitched with a thin embroidery layer. Unfortunately, the scan just doesn't show up the shininess of the Mylar, so you'll just have to take my word for the glitter
Honestly, they really are very glittery...
The second image was taken directly from a scientific paper describing some aspects of the molecular genetics of the zebrafish, so this isn't really a portrait of the animal, but rather an expression of some of the science which the zoologist is using to describe the genetics of the fish
The Genetic Zebrafish
Both images were fun to do, and I hope will interest their recipients. But it does seem likely that I will now forever be known as a Zebrafish Artist
Your new zebra fish are magnificent and the backgrounds are the perfect backdrops for both. I can definitely see why you would be contacted to digitize more zebra fish, and I am sure the recipients of your new zebra fish will be ecstatic.
Posted by: Gail Beam | 04/24/2021 at 08:36 AM
I love the zebrafish, especially the Genetic Zebrafish. He/she looks very artsy!
Posted by: Judy L Zaspel | 04/24/2021 at 11:27 AM
I am glad they are glittery as fish have scales and they are glittery
Posted by: shirley | 04/25/2021 at 03:42 AM