Koi Fish Entryways

Above: Door with hand-carved Koi fish, Solid African Mahogany. The grain was selected to give a feeling of flowing water. 

The Koi fish entryway pictured above was really fun to design and carve because of the close connection my client has with the fish. He and his wife are Asian, and have a huge Koi pond that goes around the whole back of their house and even under some of the decks. He would put his hand above the water and the Koi would gather around. He would rub their heads and sides like he was petting a dog or cat.

He said each of them have their own personalities. Most of them were exceptionally friendly and would follow him as he walked around the pond. It was amazing to watch the interaction. This is why it was so important for me to impart that life into the carving. See the one Koi who's mouth looks like it is touching the waters surface and causing ripples? I selected the grain in this solid mahogany to give a feeling of flowing water. I think it worked quite well.

I also designed and made a carved glass and wood door for another client featuring Koi fish. She loved all things Hawaiian and tropical and wanted the bright colors of the islands, so I used a lot of carved fused-painted glass and carved wood integrated in the glass.

See below for more pictures of these beautiful and lifelike entryways. 

Above: Close-up of Koi fish carving

Above: Close-up of hand-carved Koi fish

Above:  Koi fish carving on entryway

Above: Hawaiian-style entry doors, Koi fish scene done in hand-carved, hand-painted fused glass with carved wood tree inlay and leaded glass.

Abovd: Detail of hand-carved and hand-painted fused glass.

Above: Detail of hand-carved and hand-painted fused glass with hand-carved wood branch.