Rita Kirkman has made her mark in the art world with her luminous, pastel renderings of animals. Her subjects, ranging from serene cows to lively chickens, evoke warmth and light, but her work also holds a quieter, more introspective facet—her fish paintings. While lesser known, these works showcase her technical mastery, philosophical depth, and artistic versatility. By examining the distinctive qualities of Kirkman’s fish artwork, we discover how it provides a fresh perspective on the relationship between art and emotion.
Who Is Rita Kirkman?
Rita Kirkman is a renowned pastel artist known for her innovative use of light and color. Born and raised in Texas, Kirkman developed her artistic skills from a young age, refining her craft through disciplined training and relentless experimentation. Today, she is a signature member of prestigious organizations like the Pastel Society of America and the International Association of Pastel Societies.
Distinguished for her ability to infuse warmth and life into her creations, Kirkman has won numerous awards and accolades. Collectors across the United States highly seek after her pieces and have been featured in galleries, publications, and private collections. While her work often depicts farm animals and domestic pets, her fish paintings are a fascinating deviation, blending abstraction with symbolic storytelling.
The Fascination with Fish
The decision to paint fish, often overlooked in contemporary animal art, reflects Kirkman’s love for exploration. Unlike cows or cats, fish don’t convey emotions in a relatable way. They don’t have expressions or personalities that audiences can anthropomorphize. Instead, they move silently through water, embodying mystery, grace, and fluidity.
Kirkman’s fish serve as profound metaphors. Historically, fish have been associated with transformation, spirituality, and the subconscious. Whether viewed through the lens of ancient Christian iconography or Japanese koi traditions, they resonate with themes of perseverance and enlightenment. For Kirkman, these creatures act as vessels of introspection, asking viewers to pause and reflect.
“I’m drawn to the way fish exist—removed, observing, elusive,” Kirkman has said. “They challenge me to think beyond surface details and find deeper meaning.”
The Art of Pastel: Kirkman’s Unique Techniques
Kirkman’s mastery of pastel elevates her art to a class of its own. A notoriously unforgiving medium, pastel requires precision and bold decision-making. Yet Kirkman wields it with ease, creating compositions that feel effortless yet meticulously crafted. Her warm underpainting technique, a signature element of her style, plays a central role in her fish artwork.
Warm Underpainting Method
Kirkman begins her pieces by layering rich, warm tones such as sienna or orange. These foundational colors peek through her layers of pastel, giving her work an inner glow. While often employed in her animal portraits, this method takes on a unique character in her fish paintings. The contrast between warm underlayers and the cool blues and greens typical of water lends visual depth, making her subjects appear almost illuminated from within.
Translating Water with Dry Pigment
One of the most remarkable aspects of Kirkman’s fish pieces is how she captures the essence of water using a dry medium. She avoids direct representation, opting instead to suggest fluidity through abstract, layered backgrounds. These often consist of blended turquoises and indigos, mimicking the shimmering translucency of aquatic environments. Her fish seem to float, unanchored, as though caught in the liminal space between realism and abstraction.
The Emotional and Symbolic Depth of Fish
Kirkman’s fish transcend mere representation. Her compositions invite deep emotional engagement, providing viewers with moments of contemplation and peace. A standout example of this is her piece titled Still Water, Fast Fish. The artwork features a crimson koi gliding serenely across a textured, cerulean backdrop. The fish’s movement—subtle yet unmistakable—evokes a sense of fleeting beauty and eternal calm.
What makes Kirkman’s fish even more compelling is their intentional ambiguity. Unlike her domestic animals, which connect outwardly with viewers, her fish look away or move toward the edges of the frame. This detachment forces the audience to engage in introspection, prompting them to project their interpretations onto the scene.
Why Collectors and Critics Love Kirkman’s Fish
For collectors familiar with Kirkman’s celebrated barnyard portraits, discovering her fish paintings is often surprising—and delightful. These works possess a quiet charm that contrasts with the affectionate energy of her better-known subjects.
Art critic Hal Monroe aptly described Kirkman’s fish as “visual poems” in a 2023 essay, noting that “where her goats radiate warmth, her fish create stillness. They linger in the mind long after they leave the eye.” This distinction enhances their appeal among discerning collectors, who prize not only their aesthetic qualities but also their deeper, contemplative narratives.
Maria Langley, a gallery owner in Santa Fe, observed that “Kirkman’s fish have a unique ability to stop people in their tracks. Their meditative quality draws viewers in, allowing them to experience art as both a visual and emotional journey.”
Lessons from Kirkman: What Artists Can Learn
Rita Kirkman’s approach offers valuable lessons to emerging pastel artists or anyone striving to push the boundaries of their craft. Here are some takeaways from her technique and philosophy:
- Master the Basics First
Kirkman’s excellence stems from her disciplined study of composition, light, and form. Aspiring artists should first establish a solid technical foundation before exploring abstraction.
- Experiment Fearlessly
Kirkman’s transition from barnyard scenes to fish exemplifies her willingness to explore new themes and ideas. Experimenting with unconventional subjects can lead to unexpected breakthroughs.
- Use Color Creatively
The harmonious balance of warm and cool hues in her art elevates ordinary subjects to radiant works of art. By experimenting with contrasting palettes, artists can achieve similar effects.
- Find the Essence
Instead of striving for photo-realism, Kirkman captures the essence of her subjects. Artists should aim to evoke emotions and ideas rather than replicating details.
Where to View and Purchase Kirkman’s Art
Rita Kirkman’s work is featured in several galleries across the United States, as well as at art fairs, where collectors can view and purchase her pieces. Her official website also offers a curated range of artwork, including her meditative fish paintings. Additionally, her workshops and pastel society events present rare opportunities to learn directly from the artist.
For collectors seeking a deeper connection, Kirkman occasionally releases limited-edition prints and series that celebrate her unique perspective and philosophy. From serene koi to curious trout, these works provide not only aesthetic value but also moments of introspection for their owners.
Final Thoughts
The fish art of Rita Kirkman is more than a showcase of technical brilliance—it’s an invitation to pause and reflect. Each painting captures the transient beauty of life, blending abstraction, realism, and emotional depth into a single frame. Kirkman reminds us of the power of silence, the allure of the unknown, and the magic that lies just beneath the surface of things.
Whether you’re an art collector, an aspiring artist, or simply someone who appreciates beauty, exploring Kirkman’s fish paintings is a rewarding experience. These works are not merely decorative but thought-provoking, offering a glimpse at the artist’s soul and our own in return. If you’re ready to immerse yourself in this captivating world, take a moment to explore the wonder that is Rita Kirkman’s art fish.