Mama and papa sea turtle bask in the warm sunset with their newborn hatchling sea turtle on a private beach in Hawaii.
This sea turtle art was inspired and commissioned by the Perruzzi family to celebrate their daughter on the way. Ken and Joanna Perruzzi have been collectors of my art for years and so I was thrilled and honored to paint this for them as they enter this new chapter of life as soon-to-be parents.
As Ken told me on our walks discussing this painting before I started painting it, their trip to Hawaii was a highlight of their lives together thus far. They were particularly taken by the many green sea turtles they saw bathing in the sun on the beaches around sunset.
I have been to Hawaii twice before myself but never had the joy of seeing these gorgeous sea creatures. So I did some research on green sea turtles and drew from my own experiences on the islands to create this piece.
It was a challenge to paint in my typically stylized style whilst maintaining the level of detail in the turtles. This was my first time attempting to paint a proper turtle actually. As with any painting, a lot of the process is the getting-to-know your subject matter. It’s a journey of learning and discovery as much it is of expression.
Sea Turtles are marvelous animals and I thoroughly enjoyed studying their shell patterns and anatomy. Of course the tropical scene and palm trees and ocean part of the painting came more natural. Those elements were a combination of my mind’s eye projecting the scene on the canvas as well as some reference shots to make sure I caught the essence of the Hawaiian coast.
Of course the original (18×36 inch, oil on canvas) is in the home of the Perruzzi’s, but I do have Limited Edition Museum Quality Prints as well as posters, other wall art, and merch with this artwork on it available on my online shop.
