Artwork copyright Cheri O'Brien. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Cheri O'Brien. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Small Fish Tale, 1993

Cheri O'Brien
American (born 1958)

Location: Richard Gordon Elementary, Kingston

About the Artwork

Small Fish Tale is a vibrant painting by artist Cheri O'Brien. It is part of a series that portrays swimming figures surrounded by leaping fish. While O'Brien does not have a fixed symbolism for the fish imagery, she notes that "[fish] are a large part of our Northwest heritage."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with North Kitsap School District.

About the Artist

Northwest artist Cheri O'Brien creates quirky and humorous narrative folk-compositions. She uses many different materials, including oil painting, paper-mache sculpture, and painted glass. In her own words, "My paintings are reflections of my life as an artist, mother, and observer. I attempt to understand my world with finding humor in beauty and the beauty of humor."