Storm Dance - Fish and Leaves 1973

Karl Schrag made this print, *Storm Dance – Fish and Leaves*, sometime around 1973, using etching. Look at the cross-hatching, the way the lines build up this scene. It’s not just about representation; it's about building form and atmosphere through the sheer act of mark-making, like jazz. The surface is alive with texture, a web of fine lines creating a sense of movement and depth. See how the diagonal lines suggest rain, but also add to the overall feeling of unrest? The fish, with its open mouth, isn't just a fish; it's a symbol of being caught up in something bigger, something turbulent. Schrag reminds me of other expressionist printmakers like Edvard Munch, in his ability to convey intense emotion through seemingly simple lines. But Schrag has a lightness, a dance, even in the storm. It's a reminder that art, like life, is full of contradictions and that beauty can be found even in the midst of chaos.