As a young person growing up in the Champlain Valley, the rivers and streams of Vermont often inspire me to create art. Over this past summer, I was able to explore these rivers more and more. My summer travels, camping trips, and swimming adventures were expressed through my pens, pencils and paintbrush. As a result, my canvases were filled with colorful Vermont fish. 

I wanted this painting to express the quirks and color within even a single species. Native Vermont Trout have a special place in my heart, especially the Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Brown Trout. I chose to paint them on a bright reddish-orange background that matches the warm colors sparsely yet carefully found within each trout’s unique intricate pattern. While this warm background is not a fish’s typical environment, it provides a contrast to the cool blue-green hues of the fish, symbolizing the vitality and energy of these fish and their natural world. Painted next to the three fish, are three clumps of eggs that blend into the background, allowing the viewer’s eyes to wash over the whole painting and consider the lifecycle of the trout. The composition of the trout and the eggs emphasizes the distinctive characteristics of each fish, and also creates a sense of movement that reflects the dynamic nature of Vermont’s rivers and streams.