Honu ~ Magical Endangered Sea Turtles

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle ~ Endangered Icons Series

2003

Mixed Media

Watercolor, japanese papers, 

thread, glass beads on canvas

In the summer of 2002 I was in Hawaii with my friend Shannon. She and I had driven our rental car up to the North Shore of O'ahu to swim at Waimea Bay. Waimea Bay is known for its big waves but in the summer it's calmer and though you can still feel the power of the ocean you won't be crushed by a two story wave.

Shannon was sunning on the beach and I was in the water, about fifty yards out, with my snorkel and mask. All of the sudden I looked to my right and there was a Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle about three feet from my head! I was so excited I swallowed a mouth full of water! In my state of glee I started waving wildly at Shannon who thank God didn't see me or she would have thought I was drowning!

That was my first sea turtle sighting and at that moment I fell in love with Honu. 

Honu (pronounced hō new) is Hawaiian for sea turtle.

Below is a 4 Minute Ted video on The Survival of the Sea Turtle! It's a great little video on how an adult sea turtle is a miracle beating the odds.

Laniakea, 2017

Honu "Olivia Dawn" on the Beach

All 7 species of sea turtles are under threat by fishermen's nets, dangerous plastics destroying the oceans, pollution, and habitat destruction. On top of that they are hunted for their eggs, skin, shells and meat. 

There are strict laws protecting the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle and you are not allowed to come within 10 feet from them. At Laniakea Beach, on the North Shore of O'ahu, the "turtle police" are there to enforce the rule. 

The Honu love to sun themselves at Laniakea (also a great surf spot) but that means there are a million tourists and horrible "turtle traffic" as the locals call it. Because of the traffic and crowds I would highly recommend going somewhere else to snorkel and see see the turtles.

I think it's cute how they put up signs with information about certain certain sea turtles. They sun themselves at this spot because it's also one of their favorite lunch-spots for sea grass. 

On this day I hopped out of Kevin's car to see the turtles. He knew the weather and conditions were perfect for a sighting! Isn't Olivia Dawn cute? Her Hawaiian name is Ipo and she is 42 years old.

Another day ... another beach! There ended up being three or four of them on the sunning themselves on the sand! 

Bring your telephoto for a close up! These guys were HUGE and very old.

Here's a wonderful 3:44 minute video from National Geographic with more great information and beautiful shots of sea turtles! 

The art piece I did at the top of this post is the smallest and most endangered of all the sea turtles, the Kemp's Ridley. They are found mostly in the northern waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The Kemp's Ridley and Hawksbill are both listed Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List Status, Followed by the Green Turtle which is listed as Endangered. The Flatback currently has insufficient data while the Leatherback, Loggerhead and Olive Ridley are all still listed as vulnerable.

Over the years there have been many kids at the Art School where I teach who have been inspired by Honu! Here are a few of their loving portraits!

Juliette's incredible first oil painting! 

Clio's lovely pastel of a sea turtle and school of fish ...

Audrey's beautiful watercolor sea turtle!

And lastly little Julia, who is 7 years old, did this unbelievable Honu watercolor ... 

A closer look!

Here's one more video with a visit to a sea turtle sanctuary in Malasia. It's cute to see one napping on the reef!

One of my passions is protecting Endangered Species which I've incorporated into my art projects in the past. Because of what is happening, with both climate change, single use plastic abuse, and threats to laws protecting endangered species, I am moving back toward this subject matter as it becomes more and more critical. Right now there are more than 28,000 species that are threatened with extinction. That's 27% of all assessed species.

Something we can all do to help in the immediate is to reduce our plastics and do our part to pick up plastics that can end up in drains and rivers which dump into our oceans. It's time for us all to wake up about this critical issue. 

For more information on Endangered Sea Turtles and all other Vulnerable and Endangered Species on our planet, please visit the IUCN Redlist.org

What is "The Red List"?

"Established in 1964, The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species.

The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. Far more than a list of species and their status, it is a powerful tool to inform and catalyze action for biodiversity conservation and policy change, critical to protecting the natural resources we need to survive. It provides information about range, population size, habitat and ecology, use and/or trade, threats, and conservation actions that will help inform necessary conservation decisions."

To see my other Endangered Species related art, click Here.

Blessings, Light and Aloha!

Primavera! Ojai Spring Yoga/Art Retreat and Other Gifts of Spring

"What day is is?" asked Pooh.

"It's today," squeaked Piglet.

"My favorite day," said Pooh.

Ojai Preserve, Spring 2016

A little music to go with glorious Spring!

When we are mindful, deeply in touch with the present moment,

our understanding of what is join on deepens,

and we bin to be filled with 

acceptance, joy, peace and love.

~Thich Nhat Hanh

My friend Shea, who has taught yoga for years in Los Angeles, came up with an idea ages ago. She thought that it would be great for us to hold a combined yoga and art day, for Spring Equinox. This year, it finally happened! Our focus throughout the day, along with renewal, was on mindfulness.

We held it on the actual day of the Spring Equinox, in Ojai, California.

 

The morning yoga session was cool and foggy as we said goodbye to winter, but as the day progressed we welcomed Spring and the sunshine! Tables were set up for the art sessions under the trees ...

But first, a little water and yogi tea break!

The mindfulness "art project" was to create a sort of dream catcher mandala, so everyone could choose a tree from where they were sitting, or wander about the property to find which spoke to them.

Begin doing what you want to do now.

We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment,

sparkling like a star in our hand

and melting like a snowflake.

~Francis Bacon Sr.

There were two little art sessions. The first was before lunch, after which Shea guided a mindfulness walk through the cactus garden.

Walk as if you are kissing the earth

with your feet.

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Here's a little sample I did which was a jumping off point, if people wanted to add more to it ... or if they wanted to do cactus or something else, they were welcome to do so. Difficult to see the silver metallic paint around the tree and a few little washes of silver sparkle in the branches, but the silver is there, I assure you!

Drawing something like a tree is a wonderful mindfulness exercise as you become present to what is around you and in front of you. The changing curves of a branch, where light sparkles through the leaves, where the shadows hug surfaces and where texture creates shapes. It becomes a mindfulness meditation.

Here, in the following photos, is what a few of the ladies came up with! The colors were so beautiful and each one unique to the ladies ... some had silver and others chose gold. I couldn't really get it in the photos with the lighting so you'll have so imagine how they glow a bit from different angles.

If we are not fully ourselves,

truly in the preset moment,

we miss everything.

~Thich Nhat Hanh

A little chakra clearing workshop before finishing with a wonderful restorative yoga session, under the trees, listening to the birds, rustling of leaves, and soft Native American music in the distance. (Ojai was an area where the Chumash Indians lived. The area is considered sacred to some people and filled with a incredible energy by many who live there and visit the Ojai Valley.)

Shea and I on the tennis court where we held the morning yoga session ...

Including Shea and I, there were 21 ladies. It felt like a perfect number!

A little toast later at magic hour to celebrate the beautiful day.

Be happy in the moment,

that is enough.

Each moment is all we need, 

not more.

~Mother Teresa

 My sister shared lemons from her trees ...

A couple of days later I went to see my aunt and uncle in Long Beach. A great rooftop view of the sunset, in which to toast!

I don't know how many years it has been since I've had a manicure but I decided I would celebrate the season with pink nails! I just loved the eye candy of the spring colors, so I had to share! In the background is my "WeMoon" calendar that was on my lap at the nail salon. (artwork by Jessica Perlstein)

And to celebrate Springtime ... These fabulous artists!

Keya, 10, with her glorious mixed media landscape of wildflowers!

 

When you discover 

that all happiness is inside of you

the wanting 

and the needing

are over, and life gets very exciting.

~ Byron Katie

This fabulous acrylic abstract by 12 year old Caroline, who doesn't like to have her photograph taken! I love that the shapes were so silvery and had such movement but it's all done with paint (and none of it silver!)

Tessie, 8, with her Landscape of Red Poppies!

Tessa, just turning 7, with her watercolor wildflower. If that sweet expression doesn't melt your heart ...

Violette, 10, and her mixed media graphic popsicle! (wouldn't it make a cool fabric repeat?!)

And here's Lola, 6, with her pastel drawing the Easter Bunny.

I couldn't resist taking this photo with the light coming through the window ... Mia's fancy little dress for  Purim.  (I quickly found her an apron!)

 A fabulous Easter Brunch of smoked salmon and spinach Benedict with a dear friend.

Not a great picture below, but I had to point out that the lovely sequined and metallic eggs on my chandelier are from the 99 cent store, along withe the green wire basket and grass for it in the photo above. (I made the Ukrainian eggs a few years ago.)

And I'm ending this post with a spring memory of Italy, taken at the Franciscan sanctuary of Fonte Colombo in the Rieti Valley ...

Now is where Love Breathes.

~Rumi

Hope your spring is off to a beautiful start! Many blessings and a celebratory rebirth and renewal to all!

Blessings and light!

Fall Favorites at The Wizard of Art

Sunset is still my favorite color,

and rainbow is second.

~Mattie Stepanek

I love when the kids at The Wizard of Art choose do art pieces inspired by the time of year, or even unconsciously choose a color palette that speaks of the season. I have been sharing more of the kids' art lately but I can't seem to resist! 

Autumn Reflections

watercolor on paper

By Wyatt, age 10 (see what I mean about fall colors!!??)

Tiger Cub in the Forest
Pastel and charcoal on paper

by Cass, age 12 (his work has such a great touch!)

I ran across the rainbow quote (top of this post) and remembered how I loved to watch Mattie Stepanek interviewed on television. He was such a bright light ... a little prophet. So, I thought I'd look online and find more of his beautiful words to share, and it definitely felt fitting to put those words with a post of these great kids.

  

While we are living in the present,

we must celebrate life every day, 

knowing that we are becoming history 

with every work,

every action,

every deed.

~Mattie Stepanek

Sunset Sail
watercolor on paper (don't you just love that sky??)

Sasha, age 10 (finally was happy with one of her pieces!)

Desert Landscape
watercolor on paper

Ava Luna, age 12 (This piece knocked my socks off. She was born to do watercolor.)

Keep all special thoughts and memories 

for lifetimes to come.

Share these keepsakes with other 

to inspire hope 

and build from the past,

which can bridge to the future.

~Mattie Stepanek

Fox in Winter Snows
Pastel and charcoal on paper

Samara, 7 (My fellow Sagittarian ... ugh. So dang cute.)

Late Afternoon in the Southwest
watercolor on paper

Rio, 10, (Love the way the sky mirrors the shapes of the Rock. So cool.)

Sunset on the Water
Acrylic on wood panel

Saria, 9 (Don't you feel the cool weather in this one? And it's sort of becomes abstract. Love it.)

Remember to play

after every storm.

~Mattie Stepanek

Bat and Gator by Moonlight
Pastel on paper

Daniel, 8 (love that there is a whole narrative you can create with this one! He came up with it around Halloween.)

Orange Cat Chillin' in Yarn Balls
Pastel on paper

Emily, age 5 (Can you even handle this face? Actually, hers and the cat's!)

I have lots of posts getting backed up! Went on an Art Deco tour in Downtown L.A. and also to the newly reopened classic, Clifton's cafeteria! And, soon I'll be heading to New Mexico, for a mother daughter trip to Santa Fe!

And here we are ready to start our December adventures. Lots of birthdays (friends, family, my own!) and Christmas cards, and holiday parties ... it's always a whirl wind!

Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving 

and are getting December off to a beautiful, joyful start!

Even though the future seems far away,

it is actually beginning right now.

~Mattie Stepanek

(1990-2004)

blessings and light