Among the more colorful species of fish available to prehistoric Southeastern fishermen was the Spadefish with its bold pattern of vertical black and white stripes. It looks as though it should inhabit tropical waters, but in fact can be found both along the Gulf Coast and on the Atlantic side of the eastern United States. Like all animals it would have had its own spirit personification in the ancient Native American pantheon.
All the decorative patterns seen in this print are derived from patterns stamped or carved into the surfaces of prehistoric southeastern pots. To me they suggested the flowing and shimmering patterns of light found beneath the surface of the sea.