Year Year Have Fish

Had a great afternoon painting in my mom's studio. Reference photo was taken at an aquarium when my dad and my half brother visited.

Real talk, growing up I had always been sad about not having both parents around, but as an adult, there are times where I think things really did happen the way thy are meant to be, in a way I couldn't understand just 5-6 years ago. I now have a lot of contentment and happiness to spare, thanks to fortunate circumstances, and the amazing people - some are more flawed than others, but amazing nontheless.

In Chinese, having fish every year is an auspicious tradition, since "fish" sounds the same with "to spare". To a people that till the recent generations struggled with starvation and poverty, this is the most humble yet real wish anyone can have - to basically have a bit more than just enough. I hope we all achieve this in this coming year, in every way possible.

Oil on canvas. 14x18".