Journey of the Eel

A lovely painting Fiona . We have all done things like fish, hunt, pick plants etc that we now feel guilt about , but it was different times and we have learned from it .

A lovely monotype Fiona. I remember catching an eel fishing with my father in the Lake District when I was a boy. This takes me back there.

Paul, David……it was a long time ago…..thank you both.

This is really good, Fiona - love your use of the limited colours.

Your full of surprises Fiona A very worthy painting indeed.

Interesting monotype and write-up, Fiona. Like the colours.

What brought this to mind Fiona? I was always a bit frightened of eels when we used to “ plodge” in the burn. I still feel a bit the same.😳

Agree with Paul. This is a really interesting and well done monotype

Lovely monotype Fiona, don't feel to guilty, they shouldn't make themselves so good to eat.

I really like the story behind your lovely monotype Fiona... and I agree, don't feel guilty.

Interesting project Fiona.

Good story. Like the print

Thanks David! Lol…I’ve heard that before Chris, thank you. Jenny, being a country girl the only pursuits to keep you occupied were fishing, hunting, shooting, chasing insects and bird watching. I dropped the first three long ago and concentrated on conservation. Thank you for your comment. Marjorie I get all kinds of natural history articles and I was recently reading that for the first time in 2022 there was a concerted effort to find out about the Eels migration journey. They tagged a number of females and the data was surprising and answered quite a few questions. Then I remembered Eeling and felt guilty. Among four grown ups I was the only one who would unhook an Eel, that’s why they took me fishing……I’m sure of it!lol

Michael, I think subconsciously I’ve included elements of the obstacles that Eels face when migrating. They travel from fresh water, sometimes overland then into salt water……it can take them up to twelve months and cover up to 6,000. They were trapped, fished, even used as currency in the Fens. They are guided by the electromagnetic pull of the moon on the tides and use the new moon as a marker….that’s the disc in the sky. There is much much more to the romantic life of the Eel! 😂

Thank you very much Heather. You’re right George, they were never wasted it’s very tasty but not jellied, I grilled it. I don’t feel as bad Karen, thank you for your comment. Andrew, Martin……thank you gents, much appreciated.

Lovely image of these amazing creatures Fiona. Have you seen Julia Manning’s Decline of Eels prints? Very different style but also beautiful.

Hi Emma, no I haven’t, I’m going to head off to look her up. Thank you very much for looking and your interest Emma.

An interesting composition Fiona. To me it is several paintings in one.

Thanks Spencer. That’s what I love about monoprinting, you never know what you are going to get, even though you have attempted to control the outcome.

Original and quite primeval, I like it x

Yes, you’re right Diane, hadn’t looked at it that way…..I should imagine Eels have been here much longer than we have. Thanks for looking x

This has such a lovely abstract feel to it. A different time, Fiona, and a different context. I agree that you shouldn't feel guilty at all.

It’s exactly as you say Seok, different times and as I explained the catch was eaten, not cast away. Thanks very much for commenting.