If you’ve ever come across one of my artworks featuring koi fish, whether leaping in surreal splashes of color or drifting quietly in more realistic hues, you may have wondered where the inspiration came from. The answer is simple: they live right outside my studio.

Many years ago, I built a small pond just beyond the front door of my workspace. I didn’t think too much of it at the time. I was looking to create a peaceful spot in the outdoor space, a quiet little world of water and reflection. I added a few small koi fish, expecting they’d add some movement and life. What I didn’t expect was how deeply they would influence my art and thinking over the years.

Now, I pass by that pond every day. And without fail, I pause. I take a moment, just a breath or two, to watch the koi glide beneath the surface. It’s become a small ritual, one that grounds me before I enter the studio, and again when I exit. There’s something about their gentle movement that invites reflection. They don’t rush. They don’t perform. They simply exist, and in doing so, they create a sense of stillness that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Why David Gerstein Fish Are So Inspiring

Over time, these quiet moments turned into ideas. And those ideas eventually made their way into my work. The “David Gerstein fish” pieces, as many now call them, are an extension of that daily pause. They are an artistic response to a company I’ve come to deeply appreciate.

Sometimes, I paint the fish and lilies as they are. The natural palette of blue, orange, green, and black is already a masterpiece. When I work in this more realistic mode, I try to honor the serenity they bring. Moreover, the way they blend into their surroundings yet carry a subtle grace that’s impossible to ignore. These pieces are about balance, nature, and a quieter kind of beauty.

The Daily Ritual Behind David Gerstein Fish

But other times, I can’t help myself. I paint them in wildly surreal colors. Electric blues, hot pinks, vibrant yellows. They leap off the canvas or metal surface, full of energy and playfulness. These versions aren’t about realism; they’re about how the koi make me feel. They bring joy, they surprise me, and they remind me to be present. In that way, the bright and surreal versions of the “David Gerstein fish” are emotional portraits as much as visual ones.

I think part of what makes koi fish so inspiring to me is their symbolism. In many cultures, koi represent resilience, transformation, and harmony. They swim against currents, they adapt to their environment, and they do it all with a quiet dignity. That speaks to me both as a person and as an artist. Art, like the koi, moves through its own waters. Sometimes they’re calm, sometimes they’re stormy. But always, they carry us forward.

From Realism to Surrealism

There’s also the visual rhythm of koi fish that I find irresistible. The curves of their bodies, the ripple of their tails, and the way they interact with light on the surface of the water. It’s a living dance. In my metal wall sculptures and paintings on canvas, I often try to capture that rhythm. Each layer adds depth and movement, much like the layered motion of fish weaving through a pond. Whether the colors are natural or fantastical, the goal is always the same: to translate that feeling of life in motion into something you can hang on a wall.

The Symbolism of Koi Fish in Art

What surprises me most is how many people connect to these pieces. When collectors or visitors talk about their favorite “David Gerstein fish” artworks, they often speak about peace, joy, or nostalgia. It’s amazing how something as simple as a fish can spark such personal responses. And I believe it’s because koi, in all their forms, invite us to slow down and simply be.

That’s one of the reasons I keep returning to them. Even after all these years, they still have something to say. They still bring new energy to my process. And they still teach me things about color, form, and emotion. The pond outside my studio hasn’t changed much, other than my fish getting bigger by the day. But my appreciation for what it offers has grown deeper with time.

The Emotional Connection

So the next time you see my pond paintings, know that it’s more than a decorative piece. It’s a reflection of quiet mornings, of daily rituals, and of nature’s subtle wisdom. Whether it’s bursting with vibrant color or quietly echoing the tones of a real pond, each piece carries with it a little part of that daily encounter I’m so grateful for.

And maybe, in looking at them, you’ll feel a small pause too, a moment to breathe, to smile, and to be reminded of how much beauty can be found in simply observing the world around us.

Ultimately, my hope is that these artworks do more than decorate a space. I want them to invite you to pause, to reflect, and maybe even to find a little calm in your own busy day. Just as the koi have done for me, time and again. Explore my full collection of koi fish paintings here.