Aquariums and their inhabitants have long fascinated me. As a boy I grew up with fish tanks in the house and eventually bought some of my own. My earliest memories were of 'kissing fish' and terrapins but I most enjoyed a variety of cichlids and some newts in my own tanks. The house I currently rent has a large pond and after a few years of it lying empty, I set it up properly and the pond is now inhabited by seven medium sized goldfish and a rather large plant that resembles a palm. In the last month I have acquired a tall, square based aquarium which houses guests who seem to expect a meal whenever I approach the tank. With my love of aquatic life I decided to create a design - especially suited for mugs which require a wide, narrow image - featuring goldfish, danios, water snails and various plant forms. The resulting image with all its swirling shapes and pearl-like bubbles had a baroque air to it so I settled on the name 'Baroque Aquarium'. May this image transport you to a time when life seemed full of curiosities and ponds, streams and aquariums gave opportunities to explore and marvel at the wonders of creation.