If there’s one fish that genuinely scares me in the water, most would assume it’s a shark. But surprisingly, it’s a swordfish.

I’ve been lucky enough to dive with a few we’ve caught, and they’re by far the most aggressive fish I’ve ever seen. Once you get past the fear, though, they reveal themselves as some of the most magnificent creatures.

Their muscle structure resembles a torpedo, and the array of colors is like a palette of the most iridescent blues you’ve ever seen. Their eyes are so large, you feel like they’re peering straight into your soul when you make eye contact.

But the most magical part of the fish lies in the tail. The caudal peduncle, which looks like a rudder next to the tail, is a mind-blowing addition to the motor of this beast. I’m no biologist, so I can’t explain exactly how this adaptation benefits the fish, but there’s something about it that makes me want to include it in every swordfish piece I do.

So when you view The Boujie King, now you know the three goals I aimed to accomplish with the painting. I wanted to project the aggressiveness of the creature, its insane muscle structure, and the tail dynamics that set this beast apart from other apex predators.

This original acrylic-on-board commission now hangs in a beautiful 82-foot Viking Sportfish, but limited edition prints of The Boujie King are available online for purchase HERE