The rockfish is a type of sculpture that is the creation of John Warren. They come in many forms and sizes but all have features in common. A natural surf -tumbled stone forms the body and it is surrounded with a sculptured steel fish form. Since no two stones are alike (like snowflakes) no two rockfish can be the same.

These three rockfish sculptures were on display last year in my exhibit at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts. The "Ulua" Trevally statistics are as follows: Length=31.5", Height=20", Width=12", Weight=36 lb. The Triggerfish statistics are: Length=31", Height=18", Width=10", Weight=34 lb. The Wahoo statistics are: Length=68.5", Height=13", Width=7", Weight=75 lb.

As I mentioned, rockfish come in many shapes and sizes. One of the more massive specimens, that I have recently created, was the Large Snapper Rockfish. The proud owner of this original sculpture is the renowned Southern California architect and freediver, Gil Aja. The studio photo was taken by Wes Morrissey.

This large snapper rockfish is representative of one of the more formidable members of the family, the pargo prieto or cubera snapper. In Baja California, we call them dogtooth snappers. This sculpture weighs around 120 lb. and is 43" long and about 24" high. The stone is an irregular bluish gray boulder with rugged yellow pockets in it's matrix. The dorsal and other spines of this sculpture are made from railroad spikes. The steel plate which surrounds the stone is 1/2" thick. His teeth are concrete nails. He is a very tough customer. In making these sculptures, I weld them up and then strip all the old rust and welding burns off the steel with muriatic acid (always wear safety glasses and work in a well ventilated area. A respirator is a good idea as well). After the old rust is gone, and the steel is silverish, I then spray on a patina solution. This consists of mostly copper nitrate, that is slightly acidic. The steel starts to rust almost immediately. After sitting in the cool evening air the rockfish looks like it is an artifact which has been recovered from the bottom of the ocean.

These and other examples of my sculptural work can be viewed at Trios Gallery, located in the Design District of Solana Beach. Their address is 130.South Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach, California, 92075 Trios Gallery can be contacted by phone at (858) 793-6040. Thanks again for viewing my site.

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