Otter Fishing

Original colourful and very detailed acrylic painting on stretched canvas. 

I absolutely love this painting, and yes, it did take about 24 hours to paint, but the result is worth every breathless moment painting the intricate details with a tiny brush. The painting is inspired by a magical encounter with one of these shy creatures while sea kayaking around the Isle of Kerrera. I was thrilled to see an otter diving underwater and appearing repeatedly as I sat in my boat, motionless on a mirror-like sea surface. 

Otters are usually wary of humans; perhaps this one didn't know what to make out of the big red floating object nearby (me), so it continued on its quest for dinner. I briefly saw the otter floating on its back, munching something. I sat watching it for about 15 minutes until it skillfully disappeared out of sight, probably coming ashore and blending with the colours of the seaweed on the rocks. I obviously couldn't see the underwater drama, but I couldn't stop thinking about the otter and the different world of which I was allowed to have a tiny glimpse.

Soon after this encounter, I started sketching this wonderful painting with the hope of bringing a glimpse of a unique, secret, magical underwater world to someone's home. I loved imagining what the otter thought while catching its dinner and placed the two young salmon to the right as if the otter was initially chasing them, until it saw a group of bigger ones trying to sneak away. I playfully placed the two fish tails on the left-hand side of the painting, which are only visible from an angle, to represent the movement of the fish who are trying to escape the otter. The otter itself is wonderful and sharp and looks alive. 

I have spent countless hours painting individual hairs with the tiniest of brushes and wasn't satisfied until I considered the otter perfect. I gave a lot of thought to where to place the air bubbles that escaped from her mouth and the fur. I remember the stones themselves taking over six hours to paint as each one of them is shaddowed to make it look 3D, and I love the way the smaller ones take the eye into the diminishing distance. I think it is the best animal painting I have ever done, and whoever decides to give it a home will not be disappointed. It is a very unique artwork that will become a talking point, as there is nothing like it for sale anywhere else. 

• The size of the painting is 420 x 297 x 17 mm.
• The sides of the stretched canvas are painted, so there is no need for framing.
• The surface is protected by three layers of satin acrylic varnish.  
• The painting comes with quality picture wire and D rings, so it is ready to hang. 

I have worked long and hard at creating this amazing painting and wish for someone who will appreciate the artwork's quality and uniqueness to enjoy it. I am based in Oban, but the painting can be posted in free, very secure packaging anywhere in the UK by Royal Mail postage.  

Please contact me for any international postage queries.