Ellen Marcus

Tag: fish

  • My First Publication!

    That Fish On your DishFor the first time, and from my blog to your eyeballs, I’d like to present to you:

    “THAT FISH ON YOUR DISH”
    (A book for children with eco-conscious parents)

    This is my first publication.  I created this out of concern I’ve had for fish that are red-listed (or endangered) because of poor fishing practices or lack of regulations.  To write this book, I enlisted the help of my father to keep my grammar and spelling under control.  Since I moved out of Chicago and away from my entire family, the creation of this book also served as a fun way to help stay connected with them.

    The first part of the book are made up of colorful and informational poems and pictures.  After the poetry and pictures, the back section of the book contains more realistic sketches of each fish and more in-depth information for the parent or older child.  In the end we had a lot of fun writing this book, and we hope you and your child enjoy reading it together for the benefit and future of that fish on your dish.

    Back Pages Fish Book
    (Special thanks to Dr. Mark Sabaj Pérez, Dr. Jason Downs, and Nate Bender for their fact-checking abilities to ensure that all information represented is accurate and relevant).  Without them, this publication would never have been as accurate.

  • Nefertiti as a Fish

    Oil on Canvas – 8″x10″

    I was able to post this to Redbubble.  Check it out!

    Please stand by…

  • Seated Fish With Violin

    Oil on canvas –
    It’s very late and I forget what size this is.
    If you’re interested, contact me and
    I’ll take a measurement for you

    Inspired by Claude Buck’s creation “Seated Woman With Violin”.

    This one is now on Redbubble.

    As of yet, I only have 3 more to paint before I can say I’m done with this ‘set’ (and feel confident in that I’ve accumulated enough to fill the walls at my next showing).

    As of now, my brain is totally fried.

    Can I haz vacation time?

  • Marilyn Mon-What?! (Copyright)

    Oil on Canvas – 16″x20″

    Zazzle did it again.  It removed another one of my fishy parodies while claiming that I infringed on somebody’s copyright.  This time, it was my rendition of Marilyn Mon-Fish-Roe (image to the left).

    I decided to reply to their ‘notice’ and inform the ‘kind folks’ at Zazzle that my intellectual property is parody.  I also told them it was inappropriate and rude to remove my work without some kind of discourse.

    A parody-illiterate guy at Zazzle replied and informed me that my “content violates Marilyn Monroe’s rights of celebrity/publicity”.

    See image below for an illustration of my facial expression after reading his response.

    Oil on Canvas – 8″x10″

    Since, obviously, I wasn’t going to educate the incompetent, simple folk at Zazzle on the nature and definition of parody, I replied with:

    “I’m sorry to inform you that Marilyn Monroe died a few years back, and, because of this, is unable to file a [copyright] complaint”…I then asked where the actual complaint came from (considering that the real Marilyn was dead and all).

    The simple folk at Zazzle replied with: “Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you”.

    From this point on, I’m going to recommend that if you wish to buy prints of my work, buy from Redbubble, because the people at Zazzle are incompetent (and I’m no longer posting any of my future works with them).

    Thanks!

  • Fish Playing Cello

    Acrylic on Canvas – 11″ x 14″

    I’m going to admit that most of what I paint is just ‘Okay.’  I like it well enough.  Some paintings I can’t stand to look at right after I paint them.  With others it takes some time and observation before deciding upon a negative rating.  However, as luck would have it, most of my work always finds someone who is willing to give it daily love.  In the case of this painting, that someone might be me.  The more I look at it, the more awesome it appears (and the higher I’m going to price it).

    This was inspired by one of Róbert Berény’s paintings called “Woman Playing Cello”.  That guy really knew what he was doing when he created the original.  If she sells, I think I’m going to have to re-create her again.

  • Marilyn Mon-Fish-Roe

    Oil on Canvas – 16″ x 20″

    Last night I went out to see “Cabin in the Woods” and it was a good time (good acting, story, effects, and, of course, comedic moments that were actually funny).  I’d highly recommend it.

    This has nothing to do with Miss MonFishRoe.  She’s alright.  Her dress was not easy to create and my inner critic is fantasizing about eating this painting for dinner.  I meant to place her shoulders lower and closer to her hips, but, as I started working on her head, her shoulders seemed to feel more at home from a higher point (closer to her head).  This change had the negative effect of making her legs appear too small.  I have this tendency to make legs disproportionately small to begin with.  Maybe it’s because I’m only five-foot-tall myself, or, the more likely reason is that my figure drawing skills have gotten rusty.

  • Mona Lisa (As a Fish)

    Oil on Canvas – 16″ x 20″

    My latest deadline for 10 paintings has been bumped back.  I won’t be able to finish ten of them by this Saturday.  Luckily, there won’t be any issues if I’m only able to produce 5 or 6 by then.

    Here’s Mona Lisa…as a fish.  I’m thinking a worm on a hook would make anyone smile, or, maybe thats just me.

    Thanks for reading!

  • Fish Tree

    Oil on Canvas – 16″ x 20″

    I’m hoping the oil paint will dry by the time it needs to travel to its destination.  I haven’t worked with oil since it has been too cold to keep the windows open and the exhaust fan blowing.   Now that the weather has changed, well, as you can see, here is my first oil of the season.

    That being said, I have to produce 9 more paintings of roughly the same size by April 25th.  That’s the latest challenge life has imposed on me.  Not bad.  Could be worse…could be training for another marathon (which, by the way, is almost as difficult as quitting smoking).

  • Fish on a Bicycle in a Tree

     

    Acrylic on Canvas – 16″ x 20″

    My most recent painting now complete and almost ready to replace the ones I sold.  If this sounds like bragging, well, it might be (just a little bit), and after having a nice brag-fest, I’m always struck with the feeling that my next painting or work will turn out looking like garbage.  To counter this feeling, I’d also like to mention that the sales from those paintings might pay a fraction of my bills if I’m lucky (and refrain from using too much water).

    I have just reminded myself to send the water bill, and, now that I think about it, I already sent it out yesterday.

    If you’re still here and reading this, I’ll bet you might be wondering about the animation I promised…it will eventually make it to this site.  I am still working on other projects and commissions (such as paintings like this).  I am also in the process of transforming the back yard into the Garden of Eden (and I’m guessing I’ll need to begin that project with a couple of fig-leaves).

  • Hot, Hot, Hot

    SOLD: Sexy Legs
    Acrylic on Canvas
    8″ x 6″

    I’ve been attempting to produce 10 paintings by Friday.  This personal challenge began yesterday due to a sudden show invite (special thanks to KD Mernin with the NAC and the Mt. Airy Art Garage).

    At this time, I have 4 more to go, then hope to get back to my commission projects and semi-random jogs in the wilds of my neighborhood.