The Apothecary

Oil on Canvas 9 in x 12 in / 23 cm x 30.5 cm

While living in Japan I bought what I thought was an Axolotl in a pet shop near Narita. An Upa-lupa in Japanese. However, it turned out otherwise as its feathered gills contracted into its head and its skin changed from a slimy surface to one which was rubbery to the touch and tiger-striped. I had, in fact, bought a salamander tadpole which turned into an adult to live out of water. I named the salamander Yoshida-san, which is a common enough name in Japan. It means Prosperous Field, so I called him PF for short.