Marine Series

Sea Turtles and Barnacles

After a series of black-and-white pen pieces in the marine collection, I really wanted to bring color back into the work. I spent a while trying to find a species that would add a different kind of interest and depth than the seahorse or Dungeness crab, which eventually led me to the sea turtle. Their shells and skin carry so much natural color and texture, but I think what really makes this piece is the decision to add a full background. Detailed backgrounds are not something I usually incorporate, largely because I have never considered them one of my strongest areas, so this piece pushed me outside my comfort zone. Between the barnacles and the water, the background may have taken longer to complete than the turtle itself.