Author: Francesco Mazzi

Title: The Pond of Happiness

Publication: Winter 2022

Location: Japan

Genre: Figurative

Material used: Oil paint on canvas of 30x60cm thickness 6.3cm, plaster, materic / structuring pastes, gold, silver, platinum, special pigments and resin-based paints.

Frame made with the Japanese Paulownia tree, known as kiri, also called "princess tree" sacred wood, a symbol of good luck. The finish is made with Italian paints, the color was created following different golden shades, the band of the frame measures about 6 cm, the size of the frame about 43x73 cm

Inspiration behind the opera: Japanese small lakes with their aquatic vegetation, and carp (Koi)

Characteristics of the work: The aesthetic of water is reproduced here through horizontal wavy motifs The reflections alternate with the shadows, creating an intense alternation of ripples on the water. The flowers of the nymphs are pink and gold and contrast with the green bamboo hanging in the lower part, where two carp, one red and one black occupy the centrality of the scene, on the right side a small frog observes the scene.

Comments from the artist: A strongly symbolic work, which contains different models of inspiration from the Japanese world. Koi represent courage, and perseverance, the red and black color wants to remember the legend of the dragon carp ... The frog symbol of luck and magic, the word in Japanese sounds like "kaeru" or "return" (money and luck).

Art enriches life and its ultimate function is to make people happier.

`` Be inspired by myths and legends to create objects with your memory and strength ''

Francesco Mazzi