Instagram story viewer> @fishforvivian> Posts

Vivian Chi | Watercolor Artist

@fishforvivian

310

followers

379

following

Hand-painted original artworks for sale
Cara: @fishforvivian
🇺🇸 🇹🇼 St. Louis | Taiwan

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Very, very delayed commission piece for @jeffhoodstl, a gift for his mom @beckyhhood.

To be fair, Jeff gave me plenty of advance notice. He originally commissioned an Eastern Bluebird painting for Mother’s Day, but of course, I procrastinated. He generously moved the deadline to mid-August for her birthday. And what did I do? Procrastinated some more. But I got it done in the end.

The beautiful reference photo is by Hanna Caldwell, from https://showme.missouri.edu/2023/a-feather-in-our-cap/. I contacted the authors of the paper at Mizzou to ask about using their photos as references, and one of them kindly gave permission.

Another note: I had to return my Epson Perfection V600 due to a defect 😢 If I’d known it was being discontinued, I would have thought twice. This painting was scanned with a Canon LiDE 400. It’s… fine. It is not Epson Perfection though.

Swipe to see the painting in its new home and process.

Thank you @francishumphres for frame suggestions and, per usual, perfectly cut mat.

Thank you @naceri.visuals for the masking tape. Still waiting for those Nichiban 210 to be in stock but… the one you gave me worked just as well.

Materials:
@archespapers
@danielsmithartistsmaterials

#watercolor #traditionalartist #handpainted #easternbluebird #watercolorillustration by @fishforvivian

15

4

25 days ago

The second magazine cover for the Darter by the @missouri_aquarium_society, featuring Limia tridens, colorful livebearers with some distinct reproductive characteristics (when compared to other common live bearers like guppies and platties).

Professionally scanned version will come, if approved by the editor!

By the way, new technique learned: I tried splattering masking fluid the way you would with regular paint. It’s unpleasant to clean the brush afterwards but the effect is really cool! *never use your good watercolor brushes for this!

Paper: @archespapers
Pigments: @danielsmithartistsmaterials
Tape: @nichiban_japan masking tape

#watercolor #traditionalart #handpainted #fishart by @fishforvivian

9

2

a month ago

The professionally scanned version of my Darter magazine cover!

Thank you, @thedonedept for the scanning.

I did recently purchase a Canon LiDE 400 to replace my broken Epson Perfection V600. It’s pretty decent, but it’s not the same 😭 let’s hope that major companies will start making entry-level CCD scanners again. I am not ready to drop $600-1000 on an archival level art scanner…

#watercolor #watercolorfish #bettafishart by @fishforvivian

17

0

2 months ago

**SOLD**
I just found out that this painting was sold last weekend!
🤯🥳 To the nice person who bought it, I can’t thank you enough. I am glad this piece resonated with you.

“Butterfly Dreaming”

Currently on display at the @soulardartgallery for the Squared Exhibition.

12x12” (per theme) @archespapers
@danielsmithwatercolor
@schmincke_official (Aqua Bronze silver)
@lisilinka.watercolors (gold sparkles)
@holbeinartistmaterials (white gouache)
Framing: talented @t_kupp at @blickartmaterials who made magic happen on the source material that is OBJECTIVELY not 12x12
Scanning: @thedonedept by @fishforvivian

14

0

2 months ago

“Butterfly Dreaming”, submitted and accepted at @soulardartgallery for the “Squared” exhibition.

The opening night was very well attended!

Such a special show with so many spectacular artists. I will likely go back at some point to admire the works more. By the way, many of them are quite affordable! If you live locally, definitely check it out! You may find a piece that speaks to you 🤓

Well if that happens to be my piece… just kidding 😝

I will post the actual artwork here in a bit! taken in Soulard Art Gallery by @fishforvivian

34

6

2 months ago

I am pleased to announce that my artwork, “Butterfly Dreaming”, was accepted by the Soulard Art Gallery for the Squared Exhibition! I will be posting the piece here after the opening reception this Friday (8/21)!

Just dropped it off today and, wow, there’s a quite a lineup of excellent artworks! If you have never been to @soulardartgallery , check them out! It’s fantastic! by @fishforvivian

10

0

2 months ago

I can’t believe it!! “The Journey” won the Award of Excellence at @artisans_in_the_loop “Above the Horizon” exhibit!

It was my very first submission to an art gallery. I have no words (says the person who keeps typing).

Thank you @elizabethceridwenart for doing an amazing job with curating and organizing the event. Thank you @sayartstudios for picking my piece and for your kind words. It is truly an honor to receive such a warm feedback from an incredible artist.

Of course, thank you, my lovely friends, who came to support me! Special shoutout to Tao, whose photo inspired this piece. by @fishforvivian

37

12

2 months ago

So excited for the reception tonight! by @fishforvivian

6

2

2 months ago

My artwork, “The Journey”, was accepted to the gallery @artisans_in_the_loop !! If you have never been there, check them out!

Looking forward to the opening reception on Friday, August 7th!

Thank you @thedonedept for the beautiful scan!
And of course, thank you @tzou40 for the amazing photo reference. by @fishforvivian

20

4

3 months ago

This year I will be working with the wonderful team behind the Darter, the official magazine of the @missouri_aquarium_society

If all goes well, this work will be featured as one of the magazine covers next year.

The fish is betta channoides. They are parental mouthbrooder!

Btw… make sure you turn off the volume for this one lol I just realized the vacuum (or something else) was running in the background 😅

#watercolor #baohongmasterschoice #danielsmithwatercolors #watercolorillustration by @fishforvivian

16

0

3 months ago

17

2

3 months ago

My partner and I had the pleasure to visit the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (Kauai, Hawaii) in April. I have never seen so many seabirds in my life. The whole experience was just so peaceful and serene, especially for someone who does not routinely birdwatch (my partner, on the other hand, almost decided to take up birdwatching after this). Definitely one of the highlights for the trip.

*disclaimer about Epson Perfection V600: yes I am aware there’s a blue artifact down the artwork. My Epson Perfection is barely one year old (just out of warranty) and has in its lifetime scanned maybe 10-15 works. I called Support twice and cleaned it a hundred times. Well, it’s still happening. There’s no repair center near me. So I’ll keep troubleshooting…

Reference: my own photo
@usfws

Materials:
@danielsmithwatercolor
@holbeinartistmaterials (white gouache)
@fabriano1264 (new paper! Well, it was purchased years ago 😂 but I just started trying it out)
Watercolor brushes from all over the world

#watercolor #watercolorpainting #traditionalart by @fishforvivian

13

1

5 months ago