“Last Call”
Engraving and Watercolor 22.5” x 28.5” $1,000
“Up Stream” Engraving and Watercolor 22.5” x 28.5” $1,000
Inspired by both my husband’s involvement in the Quadra Salmon Enhancement program, as well as our friend, Captain Ollie Chickite (I painted his portrait for the Maritime Museum) who, when I complained about too many boat pictures, he replied, “oh, then go paint a fish!” So I did. Sockeye salmon have a transformational life cycle culminating in this final spawning stage. Their bodies change and their heads morph into this prehistoric snout.
Experimentally engraving on large plexiglas plates, printing thru lace, using sandblasting to create tone, multiple runs thru the press, and testing out soy based inks with these two plates ended up taking me several months to finalize. I’m only planning on a run of 20, printed on request. (click on images for detail)
“Ben at Three” Pastel 10” x 7” NFS
Ben’s my “adopted grandson” who’s parents lived with me for 7 years in Dallas while they were attending graduate school at UT Southwestern. Needless to say, he is acquiring a growing collection of P. Sparks artwork. This marked the occasion of his third birthday and was based on a snapshot his mom sent me.
“My Ching Guy” Pastel 15” x 15” NFS
Ching is my husband’s beloved Maine Coon. It’s taken me years to summon up the courage to tackle this portrait. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to do him justice, but I felt I’d better try as he turned 12 this year.
