school of fish Don Seegmiller

The artwork presents a dense aggregation of aquatic life, specifically a school of fish suspended within what appears to be a submerged environment. The composition is dominated by these creatures, rendered with a degree of realism that emphasizes their scale and proximity to the viewer. Their bodies are characterized by mottled coloration – a combination of olive green, gold, and touches of red – creating a shimmering effect as they seem to reflect light from an unseen source.
The artist has employed a shallow depth of field, causing some fish to appear sharply in focus while others recede into a blurred background. This technique contributes to the sense of movement and fluidity inherent within a school of fish. The water itself is depicted with varying degrees of transparency; areas closer to the viewer are more defined, while those further away dissolve into a hazy teal-green.
Scattered throughout the scene are spherical forms – bubbles – that add another layer of visual interest and reinforce the underwater setting. These bubbles vary in size and clarity, some appearing as distinct orbs, others as indistinct halos. Their presence suggests an upward current, subtly implying motion within the depicted space.
The overall effect is one of immersive observation. The viewer feels positioned directly within the aquatic environment, surrounded by a teeming mass of life. Beyond the straightforward depiction of fish and water, theres a subtextual resonance concerning collective behavior and the fragility of ecosystems. The density of the school might symbolize unity or vulnerability, while the bubbles could represent fleeting moments of beauty or the delicate balance of an underwater world. The dark background creates a sense of enclosure, potentially hinting at the unknown depths that lie beyond what is visible.