ARTIVISM CHAT
ON CLUBHOUSE
Thank you so much for the invite Nina! It was so nice getting to now you guys!
- Deanna Derosia
The ARTivsm chat really inspired me. Storytelling is a vital element in exploring why the ocean is so important to us and this was a perfect opportunity to hear the stories of others and reinforce that feeling of connection on this blue planet of ours. Thank you so much Nina for being the connecting force in this.
- Emma Lopes
I was honored to be a part of it!!
- Danielle Burnside
When I first started my journey as an artivists, I felt a little bit lonely and out of place. A little bit like an alien. What motivated me was to connect to like minded hearts who fight the same battle. Working with plastic pollution and endangered sea creatures can be a very depressing. It's important to have a support network and to lift each other up and give advice, if needed.
There are so many brilliant artists out there who dedicate their lives to protect our planet. I created a regular Artivist Chat on Clubhouse to connect with other artists, to hear their story and to build a support network.
We have hosted several events so far and each one was unique and very valuable. Very thankful for these connections and moments. Hopefully there will be many to come. As there are so many talented artists out there who are trying to make a difference every day to protect our planet.
Are you an artist who protects the environment with your artistic talent and would love to join these chat. Please get in touch!
Co-Moderator
Founder & moderator
Co-Moderat
Co-Moderat
Thank you for the opportunity
- Chris Austin
Thank you so much. Was really inspired
- Emily Lamp
Thanks so much for having me! It was really fun.
- Sophy Tuttle
Avril Greenaway
Cassie Anderson
Janavi Kramer
Miriam and Greg Holder
Benjamin Von Wong
Stefán Pétursson
Thomas Barnes
Martin Aveling
Anja Ambrosius
Juliet Schreckinger
Kiera Hellard
Taylor Griffith
James Harrison
Tracie Megumi
Jeremy McKane
Yee Mon Oo
Johanna Excell
Ed Harrison
Chloe Darwinn
Yasmin Greene
Jaclyn Gerakios
Kelly Quinn
Tiare Buoys
Weiyena Wei
Janet Ormond
Bodhi Patil
Ashley Thomson
Suzanne Turaganiwai
Xavi Reñé
Pam Ferris-Olson
Rosaly Van Dansik
Holly Bantleman
Sam Pierpoint
Stéphanie Kilgast
Amir Faqiri
Rachel Brooks
Listen to the chat HERE
Katharina Schönefeld
Karla Sanders
Emma Swift
Mateusz Pospiech
Carlos Hiller
Listen to the chat HERE
Kimberly Schwarz
Alicia Hayden
Loreta Vila
Evelyn Anca
Listen to the chat HERE
Sarah Lake
Emma Lopes
Danielle Burnside
Vegan Frank
María Lecanda
Listen to the Chat HERE
Aurora Robson
Amy Jo Randalls
Alicia Van Den Abeele
Deanna Derosia
Cherilyn Ramsey
Robert Buchanan
Listen to the Chat HERE
Lisa Shaw
Zoe Fitchet
Nicola Jane Gillyon
Christina Aust
Sarah Stribbling
Listen to the Chat HERE
Shelley Hanmo
Colleen Flanigan
Lauren Faust
Jess Pritchard
Ladislas Chachignot
Listen to the chat HERE
Guest moderator Avril Greenaway
Hana Fitzsimmons
Katrin Meiller
Tash Hatchling
Claire Heffron
Listen to the chat HERE
Guest moderator Martin Aveling
Olivier Leger
Sofiya Shukhova
Jolyon Collier
Detlef TIbax
Josh Gluckstein
Listen to the chat HERE
Guest moderator Zoe Fitchet
Cole Stirling
Chris Austin
Lena Bowler
Sadie James
Alena - Owl and Bear Studio
Listen to the chat HERE
Guest moderator Emma Lopes
Emily Lamp
Joy Clifton
Tobie Chevallier
Sophy Tuttle
Jasmin Heard
Listen to the chat HERE
Guest moderator Rachel Brooks
Rosie Lawis
Jarrod Simpson
Matilda Bishop
Kirsten Mirrey
Heather Irvine
Listen to the chat HERE
When we started our first artivism chat, little had I known that this would become a regular chat. I'm deeply thankful to everyone who joined and the connections we made. I do believe that we have to unit to make a difference and to be positive and welcoming to each other. Each artist is unique and has a story to tell. We are all on a journey, we discover, we learn, we are passionate. We want to make a difference through our art.
I'm very thankful to Norbert Zi, who has kindly welcomed us to host these rooms in his Scuba Club as well as to my co-moderators Janavi Kramer and Taylor Griffith.
"When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new." – Dalai Lama
Below and Beyond Art was established by Janavi Kramer, a mixed media British Artist based in Hertfordshire.
"My name is Janavi Kramer and I am a British Nautical Artist and the face behind Below and Beyond Art. I work with a variety of mediums but love using watercolour and archival inks. The goal of all my work is to articulate the magic of the ocean; not only hoping to evoke the same passion in others but also to highlight the threats impacting the ocean and all the species within it.
It was her love of diving that opened her eyes to all the wonders of the ocean and the rapid impacts of threats such as overfishing and climate change. Her mission is to create work that helps others appreciate the natural world and support the invaluable work being done by charities and organisations protecting the Ocean.
Under The Sea Art Shop - Ocean and Conservation.
Under The Sea Art was created by Miriam Staiger and Greg Holder, who are both passionate ocean people: Greg's a dive instructor, Shark Guardian educator and a certified National Geographic Educator and Miri is a MSc marine biologist, dive master and also the artist of Under The Sea Art. She grew up in the Black Forest in Germany, far away from the sea, yet she always had a connection to underwater animals. When she was little she painted more orcas than any other animals, but as she was getting older she stopped painting like most children do and after many years of hard work, has found her path to become a marine biologist. Only due to Covid lockdowns and a lucky coincidence she re-discovered her passion for art and now couldn't imagine a life without it anymore. As passionate marine conservationists Greg and Miri decided to make use of this newly found talent by writing a children’s book about sharks and getting Miri’s artwork to support important campaigns and conservation organisations such as the Manta Trust and Shark Guardian.
Cleaner Seas Group, Designer and ocean advocate
Works with mirco plastics in her artworks.
A competitive sea rower Avril understands our responsibility to protect our oceans and waterways and sees the negative environmental impact plastic pollution is having.
A designer Avril was commissioned to work with the Cleaner Seas Project in 2013 and alongside our CVO Dave Miller has created engaging campaigns to create awareness of plastic pollution.
Avril’s involvement in organising the Bude Wave Conference in 2016 for the Project has taken her on a journey to tackle plastic pollution and more specifically microplastic pollution. Working at grassroots level as well as campaigning, raising awareness, public speaking and lobbying for positive change.
"Crafts by Scuba Cassie was something that i came up with while my Scuba Diving Instructing was put on hold. I am so passionate and amazed by the beauty of the ocean so wanted to find another way to portray this to others who haven’t had the chance to witness the beauty in real life or feel like having some ocean magic in their homes, while we can’t always be the sea. I focus mostly on marine life, painting anything from the big whales to the small nudibranch, which often trigger questions about the magic and mystery of the ocean, as well as the beautiful creatures it contains. I am a huge lover of photography so often use various photographs as reference. My favourite is when people send me their own photographs from dives so they can relive those amazing moments through my work, it really brings me so much joy.
I’ve always loved the ocean, it feels like home to me, so if I am able to pass this passion onto others so they can realise how amazing it is then I am happy."
Narked Shark was created by British scuba diver, Thomas Barnes. He fell in love with the ocean and all the exotic animals that inhabit it during his travels around the world. During his time working as a scuba diving instructor he would also create custom artwork on friends' and co-workers' scuba equipment. These designs were inspired by the marine life he had encountered in the ocean. Thomas has a degree in fine art and has exhibited work in various places in the world including: London, UK and Seoul, S. Korea. His expertise are now employed in creating all the unique artwork in Narked Shark's products. Narked Shark's goal is to produce high quality sustainable clothing with beautiful ocean themed designs on them. The artwork highlights the beauty of the creatures that inhabit the world's oceans and demonstrate why they should be protected, The designs advocate looking after the ocean whilst also being stylish and not to heavy handed and severe when promoting this message.
Styngvi is creating art to support sanctuaries and grassroots
"I'm a full-time artist and illustrator from Iceland. In 2017 I started combining art with activism. The causes that I advocate for are all close to my heart, such as animal liberation, climate justice and LGBTQ+ rights. With my artwork, I hope to plant seeds and create a discussion for a more sustainable lifestyle so all species can have a future on this planet.
With my work I give a visual voice to environmental and social justice causes. Plant seeds and create a discussion for a more sustainable lifestyle so all species can have a future on this planet.
We only have one planet that we can call our home. This planet has given us so much and up until now we have just been taking and taking without giving any thought to how that might affect the Earth.
We must take responsibility for ourselves and our lifestyle if we want to have a future on this planet for our children. One person can't do everything but we can all do something. Together we can inspire and empower others to a greener and more sustainable future!
(beautiful image of Ben taken by Anastasia Loukrezi)
Benjamin von Wong is telling awesome stories through his surreal photography and videography.
"I am an Artist focused on amplifying positive Impact .
My mission is to help make positive impact unforgettable."
Benjamin Von Wong is a Canadian artist, activist, and photographer best known for his environmental art installations and hyper-realist art style. He is a motivational speaker and an advocate against Ocean Plastics. He is also notable for creating several viral Social Media campaigns, including the most funded GoFundMe campaign which raised over US$2M for Eliza O'Neill, a sufferer of Sanfilippo syndrome.
In 2015, Von Wong launched an online campaign petitioning Datuk Masidi Manjun to create a shark Sanctuary in Malaysia. His viral campaign featuring free-diver Amber Bourke tied underwater while sharks swam around generated over 80,000 petition signatures.
Professional artist and wildlife enthusiast, specialising in pastel pencil drawings of wild animals
Martin Aveling's passion for drawing was born out of his surroundings at a very young age. While his parents were working to conserve mountain gorillas on the steep forested slopes of the Virunga volcanoes, Martin picked up pencils and drew them.
Martin's inaugural exhibition 'Metamorphosis' (2001) at the Pool Room Gallery in Nairobi was a sell-out success, and other solo exhibitions in Kenya, the UK and the USA have followed. After graduating from the University of Bristol in 2004 with an honours degree in Geography, Martin built his career around his primary passion for art and the natural world. He is a regular on the London wildlife art scene, having exhibited with the Society of Wildlife Artists and at the DSWF ‘Wildlife Artist of the Year’ event, for which he has been a finalist the past twelve years. An award from the Society of Wildlife Artists took him to Indonesia in 2008, fulfilling an ambition to observe orangutans in the wild.
Products inspired by the oceans
10% of profits are donated to Surfers Against Sewage.
"What makes Ocean-Raye environmentally friendly and unique?
10% of all profits go to surfers against sewage.
All of our jewellery is made with natural sea glass collected from the beach, any unusable glass or other rubbish found we pick up and recycle where possible. We try and make all our packaging environmentally friendly and recyclable.
Ocean Raye was founded by myself, Kiera Hellard. I'm currently a student and have a great passion for the environment and beautiful crafts and wanted to combine these, so I created Ocean Raye. This small business enables me to spend my time doing beach cleans, making beautiful necklaces and showcasing my Mother's (Amber-Raye) stunning seascapes."
Illustrator from Stuttgart / Germany.
Anja Ambrosius is an illustrator, film and media producer from Stuttgart/Germany. As a former marine biologist and ocean enthusiast, she is currently working on a children's book about coral reefs and climate change.
Juliet’s pieces are inspired by the ocean, nature, and all of the creatures within our world.
Born in 1999, Juliet Schreckinger is a Long Island, NY based artist. Her work is typically created using a stippling technique in pen & ink and graphite, with occasional splashes of color. Juliet’s pieces are inspired by the ocean, nature, and all of the creatures within our world. Since the time she was a child, Juliet has been fascinated by black and white photography, colorless television shows, and film noir movies. Being exposed to the lighting effects and sharp contrasts shown in these photographs and films greatly inspired the type of work that she does today. Juliet’s work is centered around giving a voice to nature and animals, with the goal of showcasing their importance in this world. Through an illustrative take on fine art, she attempts to express a story in each drawing.
Eco artist living and working in Los Angeles.
"Originally I am from Oakland CA, currently I am living and working in Los Angeles. I am an MFA candidate at Art Center College of Design. Holding a Bachelor of Arts from the University of La Verne I majored in Photography with a minor in Studio Art. Photography is at the foundation of my practice but my practice is no longer medium specific. I believe that an artist today can work between mediums to communicate and tell their stories effectively. The primary formal expressions of my work are editioned prints, unique prints, books, sound/video installations, and will soon involve sculpture. In my work I explore the crossroads of art and science, specifically around human interactions with water. My work comes out of a deep relationship with the ocean.
I was raised in a family of scientists and ocean explorers. For as long as I can remember my brother and I were encouraged to ask questions and explore the world with wonder. My first time below the waves was in a submarine. I was a one year old baby sitting on my mother's lap. We explored the waters off Monterey California. Since then I have continued to explore the California coast and have been lucky enough to see some of the most remote parts of our world."
International Artist, explorer, NFT Art for measurable ocean action.
Click on the image for more information.
ARTIST, EXPLORER, and ENTREPRENEUR
Jeremy McKane is the co-founder of The ULTRAMARINE Ocean Action Summit.
A group of ocean minded actionists to identify steps to protect 30% of The Ocean by 2030. Jeremy McKane is an Artist with the passion for the environment. His focus has been directed on Ocean issues for several years. He is an active Explorers Club Member and the CEO of OCN.ai, an autonomous network of marine robots that automate enforcement at sea.
"My passion is the oceans and I feel that we don't give them the focus that they need. I thought about this years ago when I first walked up on one of the most polluted beaches I had ever seen. The sad part about it was that there was not any people for hundreds of kilometers yet the evidence of mankind was everywhere.
I had this idea about 12 years ago to photograph people underwater as if they were in the studio. (...) So few people have seen the underwater world and often its depicted as an alien environment. This is the environment that we co-exist with and one that we have major influence over. My hope is to get viewers to love The Ocean as much as I do. Maybe we can all make a difference if we share the same love."
Under the Skin was launched by designer duo and brothers Ed & James Harrison.
"Our handcrafted approach to our work is at the heart of our values.
We’re focused on quality, and we’ve slowed things right down.
James takes weeks (sometimes months) to screenprint our limited edition artwork, with the inks mixed by hand, colour-by-colour, layer-by-layer. Everything is considered. It’s a true labour of love. It’s what slow design looks like.
Before design work begins, we do a large amount of research to understand the anatomy, behaviour, habitat, iconic body language and defining characteristics of each species."
"Hi, I'm Tracie. I am a life long artist, marine mammal naturalist and just a general ocean nerd.
My artwork in inks and mixed media is driven by a life-long love for the ocean and all its inhabitants. With experience working in the marine eco-tourism industry, volunteering for ocean conservation causes and teaching as a children's art mentor I am grateful to have a lot of inspiration to draw from.
My artwork is one way I hope to advocate for ocean conservation, raising awareness about various issues such as climate change, over-fishing, shark finning and. dolphin captures for the captive trade. We are all connected to the ocean in one way or another- after all, the ocean is the source of most of the air we breathe!
Through my work, I hope to help people recognize the importance of protecting marine species, and to gain an appreciation for ocean wildlife. Hope you will join me in this journey!"
"I am a Finnish biologist and self-taught wildlife artist based in Regensburg, Germany.
Living in the heart of Bavaria, Germany.
Mother of humans and cats.
A fan of the outdoors, quiet moments, science fiction books, puzzles, drinking coffee, and traveling.
Inspired by nature, animals in particular.
acrylic on canvas."
Co-founder/Creative director of STEMsi.org, and a freelance illustrator specializing in Sci Art.
"I'm a Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Microbiology at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California. I'm also Co-founder/Creative director of STEMsi.org, and a freelance illustrator specializing in Sci Art.
A believer in the middle path, I aspire to live at the intersection of Science and Art with Education as a guidepost.
As the name implies, science art is a creative expression with the intent to convey a scientific idea or concept. Here are a few examples of mine.
I regularly illustrate journal covers and editorial pieces for scientific publishers which I find immensely enjoyable as well as informative as I also get to reach the papers firsthand. "
Professional fish enthusiast - Underwater photographer - Marine debris artist
MSC Ocean Ambassador
"Marine debris from the fishing industry is a major contributor to ocean pollution. I source old fishing gear, either donated by local fishermen, found by me while working at sea or collected by beach clean up initiates. Instead of throwing these old floats into the landfill, I divert them from the waste stream and turn them into art. I paint kelp forests on these recycled buoys because it is my vision of a healthy marine ecosystem.
Bringing New Life to Old Buoys
Our Ocean faces many challenges, acidification, deoxygenation and plastic pollution, just to name a few.Marine debris from the fishing industry is a major contributor to ocean pollution. I source old fishing gear, either donated by local fishermen, or collected by beach combers.
Instead of throwing these old floats into the landfill, I divert them from the waste stream and turn them into art. I paint kelp forests on these recycled buoys because it is my vision of a healthy marine ecosystem. We are lucky to have many such kelp forest in our clean waters here on the West Coast of Canada."
Chloe Darwin is originally from Plymouth but now a field assistant at the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme.
The Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) is a research-based conservation charity dedicated to studying the whale shark and fostering community-focused conservation initiatives in the Maldives and the greater Indian Ocean.
Chloe creates ocean inspired illustrations.
You can find her beautiful whale shark illustration on Etsy.
"Maldives island life captured within the silhouette of it’s iconic animal, the whale shark! Chloe Darwinn has been busy over the past months, drawing this illustration to celebrate all things ocean and local Maldives ."
"We are two biologists who want to share our passion for marine life with you through our products, and we hope you do the same. Some of our products donate to research and ocean conservation. Show your love for the ocean with this fintastic flair!
Jaclyn is an avid ocean advocate. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in Marine Biology and a Master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University in Environmental Education. She has worked as an aquarist, marine science educator, water quality technician, classroom teacher, expeditions manager, SCUBA instructor, and even a mermaid! She is a volunteer supervisor with her local sea turtle patrol and lives in Florida with her husband, son, and rescue animals.
Yasmin is an artist and ocean advocate. She obtained her Bachelor's degree from the University of Tampa in Biology and a Master's degree in Environmental Science from Drexel University. She is currently working on her MBA from Florida International University. She believes art plays a powerful role in fostering environmental awareness and creates all our designs with that goal."
Under the Skin was launched by designer duo and brothers Ed & James Harrison.
"We are brothers, outdoor adventurers and creative collaborators.
Growing up in South West Wales, we had access to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This is where our passion for the ocean grew strong. From a young age our parents loved to share their interest for the natural world with us. They both come from scientific backgrounds so our house was always full of scientific books, old medical instruments and tools, and shelves stacked with nature journals and those iconic bright yellow National Geographics.
As young boys we always had a fascination with wildlife. We’d keep beetles in matchboxes, collect fossils, and breed exotic stick insects in our attic. It’s funny how childhood curiosities can have such an influence on your outlook on life.
I recently returned from a two year adventure across Canada, where I spent my time working remotely and exploring the landscapes of British Columbia through my passion for surfing, skiing and rock climbing. The animals I witnessed on my travels – from grizzlies to whales, eagles to wolves – have been a major inspiration for my creative work. I created a short travel film documenting my adventures and time on the road in BC. I now reside in Cardiff, UK, where I work as a freelance designer & illustrator."
"I'm Kelly Quinn, a Florida-based wildlife artist, educator, and illustrator, uplifting the stories of nature through art. I use my gift to connect our community to nature through highly detailed, colorful, and immersive paintings on canvas and instruct art classes with Canvas of the Wild at local parks, preserves, and schools.
Central to my art are core values of mission, education, and storytelling inspired by Florida and our shared wild heritage. I spent my childhood exploring conservation lands in central Florida, where my passion for nature and curiosity of the world around me was cultivated and explored through pencil and paper until I began painting in middle school.
I have worked with organizations such as The Florida Aquarium, Coral Restoration Foundation, and the Hillsborough County School System to uplift the stories of science through art.
In 2021, I became the project lead and artist for an immersive 2,000 sq ft educational mural in downtown Miami located on the Miami-Dade Public Schools building called iPrep Academy. This school serves K-12, and in collaboration with local partners, I hosted art classes, painted the mural with students, and connected the school with researchers at the University of Miami to inspire the next generation of ocean advocates. "
"My name is Ashley Thomson. I currently reside in Mesa, Arizona with my fiancé and corgi. I am a recent Arizona State University graduate, achieving a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in drawing and painting.
I am currently working in human resources (very different from my creative side) and hoping to pick up a tattoo apprenticeship and SCUBA certification by the end of 2021.
I've been drawn to the ocean for as long as I can remember, but only started focusing on portraying marine conservation messages within my art about 6 years ago.
My fascination and passion have steadily grown and pushed me to be an advocate for marine conservation. They say that if you can connect to something, then you’re more likely to care about it. That connection is the core of my purpose. My goal is to be a voice for the vulnerable and to allow viewers to see the real side of the “monsters” of the ocean."
Weiyena Wei is a graphic designer / illustrator with 6 years experience working in art and design industry. Originally from China but lives in central America. Spend some time in Costa Rica and now in Mexico.
She is the founder of ethical organisation "asearth" and has worked for the clients from the US, UK, China, Taiwan, Burma and Germany. She has strong passions in sustainability, nature, animal welfare and plant-based lifestyle. She has done amazing collaborations such as:
Action For Dolphins: protect the Vaquita Campaign
Collaboration:
2 Minute Foundation: Mask Pollution ... and many more, which you can find on her webiste.
As Earth org:
Here at as earth, we focus on three main areas to have impactful change; storytelling, sustainable products and services. To put it simply, asearth was created for the trees and ocean.
An environmental artist from Kommetjie, which is a coastal town on the Cape Peninsula in South Africa. She lives near the ocean with her husband and two young boys.
“I have always loved to draw and paint. I think perhaps something I was inspired to do from my grandfather who loved to paint himself. In high school I realized that I enjoyed art a lot more than academics and decided to go to Art College in Cape Town where I finished with a commercial matric. After college I worked for a boat charter company for 10 years. I then started my own wooden word wall art business and it has kept me very busy for the past 10 years. It was in late 2018 though that I decided to start making art from the trash I was collecting off the beaches. I think it was only in the year to follow that I felt like art was going to be a real part of my life.
Bodhi Patil is an inspired youth leader who is passionate about boosting ocean health and human health. As the Youth Team Leader at Parley for the Oceans he focuses on building Ocean Uprise and creating opportunities for young people to take action #fortheoceans.
Bodhi is a lover of the ocean and is doing everything in his power to end it's destruction.
OCEANUPRISE with campagins like: Support the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act!
“Artivism is sharing a story through creative pursuits. it creates ripples of change by showcasing the beauty of the natural world and our need to protect it.” - Bodhi Patil
Benu Ni Waitui - Marine Debris Artivist from Fiji
Benu Ni Waitui is an art account on Instagram that was created by Suzanne Turaganiwai to highlight the problem of marine plastic pollution in Suva, Fiji Islands. With a background in Marine Science, a passion for the arts and being an avid paddler, she decided to take action to use her talents and knowledge to share with locals the various rubbish being washed up with the tides and shine an artistic and brighter light on the marine plastic pollution problem.
Although she is fairly new to the marine debris artivism community, she is inspired by the many artivists she follows to spread the message of taking action for the environment and in turn hopes to inspire creatives, youth and more Fijians to join the fight to clean up the marine environment.
She also hopes to eventually build a community of marine debris artivists In Fiji that will continue to raise awareness and positive messages for the protection of our waitui (Ocean).
Born under a water sign and growing up near the water, it’s natural that Pam Ferris-Olson would be the creative energy behind Women Mind the Water. Pam has studied ocean creatures and natural resource science, worked in communications, and a doctorate in Leadership and Change. Pam created Women Mind the Water to explore the intersection of women, water, and stories. Her brand of storytelling conveys a passion for the ocean and the ocean is the driving force behind her art. It’s deeply personal for Pam as she lives along the shore of the Gulf of Maine, a body of water that is among the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world and warming faster than most other bodies of water. Pam believes in the power of collaboration and in women empowering women. She seeks to promote artistic collaborations that celebrate and foster respect for the ocean and each other.
Women mind the water podcast:
The aim of Women Mind the Water is to share stories and art that raises awareness of the connection between humans and water, reflects upon the ways humans engage with and shares responsibility for the ocean. Women Mind the Water began as a digital stories project.
"I am Rosaly, the creator of Sharking Daily.
I am a graphic designer and artist based in Bonaire, a tiny island in the Dutch Caribbean. I have travelled and dived around the world, volunteered in marine conservation and worked in the diving industry, where my passion for sharks sparked. I was amazed and in awe at how timid the sharks I encountered were, even tiger sharks.
My mission with Sharking Daily is to give sharks a better reputation through colourful
illustrations that brighten your day. I truly believe in the power of protecting what you love.
The media generally portrays sharks as monsters, putting fear into peoples minds. I hope to
take away that fear by consistently showing how wonderful sharks are.
Sharks are ancient creatures, they have been evolving over 455 million years ago, long
before dinosaurs and mammals walked the earth. That fact alone still humbles me. I believe
we should respect sharks and celebrate them like they are our ancestors-"
Holly is a campaigner and artist who combines her passions to create art that protects our wild.
Holly is a watercolour artist with a particular fascination for humpback whales and marine life. With a history of working in advocacy alongside marginalised
Communities and a love for being on or in the water, Holly uses her art to raise awareness and funds for groups tackling critical issues.
Holly hopes that her art will give you something beautiful for your home and a talking point for how we might all do more to protect our wild.
Wild and Wave is a print and homeware brand, designed with the spirit of adventure seekers and protectors of our wild in mind. Each piece is inspired by our natural world and donates 10% of profits to the protection of species and natural habitats.
All of our pieces are either originals or hand finished high quality limited edition prints, designed to look and feel just like the real thing.
Our art work is created by Holly Bantleman, a self taught watercolour artist and inspired by her time living in Kenya and scuba diving in exotic locations across the world. With a background in campaigning and advocacy, Holly now combines her passion for social change with her creativity and brings you Wild and Wave.
Xavi Reñé, Wildlife Erra: "From a very young age I have felt a great connection with animals and nature. Precisely for this reason, I have dedicated much of my work to the illustration of wildlife, especially animals in danger of extinction. I've been conducting commissions for sanctuaries, foundations and other projects related to animals.
But it was when I participated in a fundraiser in Lone Pine Koala for the Australian bushfires (2019), that everything became clearer. There, a new horizon was opened for me and I seriously considered dedicating a part of my work to help organizations. Contribute my grain of sand, with the best that I do and the best that I can get out of myself. Using the illustration as a tool to help spread or share situations that maybe many people are unaware of through illustration.
Because at the end, I am firmly convinced that if each and every one of us does his part, no matter how small, we will be able to change the course of things."
Illustrator, Image Maker, Director
Sam is a Bristol based image maker and art director specialising in creating handcrafted paper sets and sculptures.
She designs, cuts and hand crafts her creations from a range of sustainable materials and has skilled apprentices on hand who are able to get stuck in on larger scale projects. She regularly collaborates with talented designers, photographers, videographers, production companies and agencies to produce playful, engaging and purpose-driven work.
Her paper sculptures are used both commercially and artistically, for a variety of different applications ranging from advertising and awareness campaigns, set design for ethical products + packaging predominantly in the events, travel + tourism and food + drink sectors.
Sam has produced work for a range of clients, including Lush, Chilly’s Bottles, City to Sea, Refill, Kiehl’s, Origins, Soho House, Pearson, Project Literacy, Strasbourg.eu, Goldsmiths University of London, WWF and Visit Bristol.
Inspired by natural forms, Stéphanie Kilgast’s artwork is an ode to nature and its current biodiversity. Plants, mushrooms, insects and other animals encounter in a vibrant swirl of colors under her brush or sculpting tools.
Since 2017, in her series “Discarded Objects”, she grows colorful organic sculptures on manufactured objects, celebrating the beauty of nature in a dialogue with humanity, questioning the lost balance between human activities and nature.
Her work has a cheerful post apocalyptic feel to it, a reassuring reminder that nature has the capacity to grow back, if we only let it.
Her work has been exhibited in North America, Asia, Australia and Europe.
French, born in 1985, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, currently resides in Vannes, France.
"Hi! My name is Amir Faqiri and I'm living in Sweden. In my spare time I'm picking trash in nature and have lectures about littering and plastics in our oceans. The trash I pick up I turn into art to enlighten the problems. For a very long time I've thought that we need to take care of the planet and environment. My thoughts are that we are only borrowing the planet and that we need to make as small marks as possible. To pick trash is my way to contribute to a better environment for us, the animals, the plants and future generations."
"I'm Rachel, a UK based artist, wildlife guide, and photographer. I live in the lovely little town of Oban in the Scottish Highlands. Thank you for taking the time to view my work, everything here is lovingly hand made by myself! So I thought I would use this opportunity to introduce me to you!
I have always loved drawing and painting and during college this was set to be my career path. I had already drafted my first university application for an Art course but a summer spent volunteering on a whale and dolphin research project in the Atlantic changed everything!
Living with a group of young passionate conservationists really shifted my perspective of the world, I decided that this was exactly where I wanted to be. I changed my application to study a BSc in Zoology at the University of Leeds.
Art was put to one side whilst I was studying and after graduating I couldn't wait to get out and explore the world. I left the UK in 2014 with a one way ticket to India. The vibrancy of India stole my heart and is still one of my favourite places. The colours captured my imagination and inspired me to pick up my camera and a set of crushed petal powder paints. After leaving India I made my way through Indonesia before settling in Australia which was to be my home for the next few years. "
Aurora Robson is a multi-media artist known predominantly for her meditative work intercepting the plastic waste stream. Her practice is about subjugating negativity and shifting trajectories. Her work is a formal meditation on recurring nightmares she had as a child which she hybridizes with forms found in nature. Robson was born in Toronto in 1972 and grew up in Hawaii. She lived and worked in New York City for over 2 decades during which time she studied art history and visual arts at Columbia University. Recently, Robson moved to the Hudson Valley to raise her two daughters with her husband Marshall Coles.
Aurora Robson is a recipient of the Pollock-Krasner Grant, a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Sculpture, a TED/Lincoln Re-Imagine Prize and a National Endowment for the Arts Art Work Grant. She has exhibited her work internationally in museums, galleries and non-traditional spaces since 2002.
Robson is also the founding artist of Project Vortex, an international collective of artists, designers and architects who also work in innovative ways with plastic debris. Robson is passionate about developing integrative methods for artists and designers to utilize plastic debris as a raw material. Since 2014, Robson has been developing and assisting with the implementation of a course called Sculpture + Intercepting the Waste Stream designed to foster creative stewardship through academia at colleges, universities and high schools around the world.
Artist, Art Editor & wildlife enthusiast. After 20 years in magazine publishing in London, Sydney and Bath, the Covid pandemic forced a career break, but it opened up a new opportunity to explore painting and to increase my awareness of conservation issues around the world.
In 2020 and 2021, I had a total of 5 paintings shortlisted in the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) Wildlife Artist of the Year, 4 of which were Highly Commended.
In 2020 I was thrilled to be awarded Explorers Against Extinction (EAE) Sketch for Survival Wildlife 100 Artist of the Year. Following this, I collaborated with EAE to produce 21 artworks in support of their '21For21' campaign, which was raising money to help 21 conservation projects around the world. This culminated in an exhibition at Oxo Gallery, London.
Last year, I was also awarded a Runner Up at the Artists for Painted Dogs exhibition with a painting of a Black & White Ruffed Lemur.
It has been very easy to feel restricted and limited in our actions during this Covid pandemic, but life on the front line of conservation hasn't stopped, and in many cases has proved ever more challenging. Through charities such as DSWF, EAE and Artists for Painted Dogs, there has been a chance to reach out, and through producing and selling art, make a small contribution to vital conservation projects. As well as raising funds, I hope that it raises awareness and maybe make some people curious to learn more.
Hi, I'm Katharina from Germany and I’m working as a graphic, UI and web designer, trying to dive deeper into web accessibility and inclusive design lately. In my free time I’m an artist, started drawing again in 2020 after a very long break.
I discovered digital art shortly after starting again, so I’m drawing mostly on a tablet at the moment. My topics include veganism and animal rights, climate justice and all about protecting our beautiful planet. With a special love for pigs, whales and sharks.
After learning about the suffering of farm animals, the climate crisis and species extinction I was so sad and touched. I wanted to do something, but felt a little helpless. My solution was art. Now I'm using my creativity to raise awareness about these important topics.
I really hope that I can inspire and motivate people to learn more about the urgent topics of our time and to take action themselves.
Mateusz aka Fresh 'n Salty's mission is bringing marine life facts and complicated ocean problems closer to people in a fun and engaging way. He believes that education is a key to the global conservation efforts, so through working with marine biologists and environmental campaigners, he tries to ignite fascination with the oceans and provide joyful learning experience, while also making a few laughs along the way. Let's get a clue in the blue!
Fresh 'n Salty': We believe that education is the key to helping the environment and protecting animal welfare.
Because no matter how right the cause, people are not going to listen unless they get interested. And education doesn’t have to be boring! On the contrary, learning about the ocean can be fascinating - as long as it is presented in an accessible, well-explained and fun way!
If you are a like-minded animal welfare organisation, environmental campaigner, eager marine biologist or sustainable dive shop - we are here for you! Let’s cooperate, create something together and contribute to the better underwater world.
Vegan artivist, nature whisperer and lover of all things wild. I am here to support the awakening of our Nature bond, to spread a message of living in harmony with all Earth’s species, and to help grow dreams rooted in our own healing.
Have you ever felt the awe of a sunrise, shivered to the midnight coyote or smiled within the embrace of rain? We are sacred beings in a built world and our spirits yearn for clean air, water and connection with something deeper.
My mission is to advocate for the healing of our world and create a regenerative society in which all species are treated with dignity and respect.
The Ocean is my passion, and I portray it in its immensity and beauty. Through art came the possibility of contributing by educating about its wonders. And later I was struck by the need to act in the face of the factors that threaten it”.
Carlos Hiller is an artist dedicated to portraying the oceans.
A laborious technique studied for many years seeks to bring us those wonderful encounters with fascinating creatures. Witnessing the degradation of the marine environment led him to become involved in environmental education. Follow him on Instagram and Facebook.
Carlos Hiller was born in Argentina. From an early age he felt a special interest in studying painting and biology. At the age of 21, he settled in Costa Rica, after having traveled South America consistently. He faces the possibility of dedicating himself fully to painting and realizing his life as an artist. He finds in the Pacific Ocean a frontier to the new and unknown, and leaves everything to devote himself completely to capturing these marine images on the canvas. Inspiration comes from his own experiences as a diver. Naturalized Costa Rican, he has held solo exhibitions in several countries and painted for collectors.
Through art he exposes the wonders that inhabit our oceans and puts it at the service as a tool to convey a clear message about the challenges faced by the seas, and therefore, all life on earth. Much of his time is spent painting murals in schools, educating with talks, and giving live painting presentations. He currently resides in Playas del Coco, northern Cost
I'm Evi, an environmental activist and wildlife conservationist using art and science to call for action for our planet and share my passion for all people to protect the environment and all the incredible species we share it with.
Love for animals and passion for art were there since I know myself, but awareness of urgent environmental issues such as nature exploitation, climate change, plastic pollution, biodiversity loss and all the threats for natural habitats and wild animals resulting from human behaviour - brought them together. Through art I wish to show the different ways in which human activity is harming nature and animals and speak for endangered species that we still have time to save.
I use various mediums to create art in a zero waste and sustainable way - Sculpting with trash I collect at the beach, parks, streets and dump sites; Drawings with upcycled and reused materials from paper to frames and brushes; Microplastic photography and even sewing cigarette butts.
I hope that my art, shocking as I want it to be and powerful as it may be, will help me express my emotions of concern for our planet and wildlife, the urge to act for it and help others connect with me, with these issues and feel the same as I do.
Alicia is a self-trained wildlife artist, photographer, writer, and filmmaker from North Yorkshire; with a degree in Biological sciences from Oxford University, currently studying for a Masters in Wildlife Filmmaking at UWE, in partnership with the BBC.
Alicia aims to celebrate the beauty of the natural world in her work, as well as communicating the threats it faces through the arts. She especially loves to create pieces of wildlife artivism – exploring complex scientific issues using artwork.
In 2021, she won the “Human Impact” category of David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year 2021 for her piece “When the Whale Sang”, and was awarded the inaugural Ingrid Beazley Award. “When the Whale Sang” has also been displayed as part of UNESCO’s Art by Women in Science “Creative Resilience” exhibition 2021-22. Her art has been included in Conservation Optimism’s Film Festival exhibition 2020 and 2021; as well as African Wild Dogs Conference exhibition 2022.
Alicia self-published her debut illustrated wildlife poetry book, “Rain before Rainbows”, in 2020 with the aim of increasing awareness of the natural world, and raising money for the wildlife hospital Tiggywinkles. She is currently working on a fully-illustrated mini-collection exploring “Dynamic Dunescapes”, in partnership with The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.
Loreto is a Spanish illustrator, in love with the sea since she was a little girl. She studied Biology and Marine Environment and later became a diver. She has travelled over Europe, Asia and America doing field work to protect the ocean and its creatures. She uses her art to bring the ocean to your home and to raise environmental awareness. She’s especially fond of whales and sharks, but also turtles, penguins or corals and loves to show the beauty of geometry
Kimsmarinelife – Marine life inspired Art
Kimberly is a Marine Biologist and Ocean Artist. As a marine biologist she studied the ecophysiological effects on macroalgae and tried to cultivated seaweed. Seaweed was the first that led her into art. She worked together with a seaweed company and did illustrations for it. Later on she focused on getting her own small business started, so Kimsmarinelife was created. She works with different mediums: watercolour, acrylics and ink (dot work/stippling). Her art is marine life inspired. She draws different marine creatures and ocean paintings to show other people the beauty of the ocean and that it’s worth protecting it.
Emma Lopes is an artist and illustrator, based in Lisbon, Portugal. Spending time in wild places is her favourite pastime and mother nature is her muse. A core belief which filters into every aspect of her work is that all life is interconnected. Her art is a form of activism through celebration of this planet we must protect with all of our force.
Painting is dreaming awake for me, and I know no other truth. By divine timing, I worked on a manta ray tour boat in 2017 despite the fact that I was scared of dark water, got seasick, and had no idea which side was starboard or port. Those mantas and that water changed my life. Ever since, I have been pouring myself into art inspired by our oceans.
My work is dedicated to bringing awareness and conservation efforts to our seas, as well as inspiring individuals to follow their dreams. Being an artist is an extension of my soul; I feel so blessed to be able to express my emotions, passion, inspiration, connection to community, and commitment to preserving our precious planet through my body of work. For over ten years now, I have included copper leaf into my pieces, which is dedicated to preserving the integrity and spirit of my art. As a conductor of energy, copper carries the love I pour into my work into the hands and hearts of others. My small business is my dream come true, thanks to our oceans, all my past teachers which include every individual that has influenced me in any way, and to everyone who has connected with and supported my artwork.
Sarah Lake is a paper artist from Ashford, Kent
Sarah discovered paper cutting 10 years ago
and quickly found a love of layered paper cutting
Sarah has been making and donating her work
to various charities such as The Big Cat Sanctuary
in Smarden, Which helps with raising much needed
funds.
Each piece is cut by hand with a scalpel,
using 6-9 sheets of paper. These are then
glued down to give the artwork its depth.
Each piece can take between 7-21 days to
make, depending on size and detail.
They are made using a photograph usually
taken by Sarah herself.
Sarah won Explorers Against Extinction's
Sketch for Survival Wildlife 100
Artist of the Year 2021.
Where her winning piece 'Achilles'
was displayed in the OXO Gallery in
London before being auctioned off.
Francisco Atencio lives in Mendoza, Argentina. By trade he’s a computer engineer but an artist and philosopher at heart. His hobbies include studying, drawing, painting, reading, doing yoga, enjoying life and learning from everything around him. He’s happily married to Leticia, and has two beautiful children, Santiago and Sol.
Francisco is an active member of The Art of Compassion Project, an international art collective that aims to support the compassionate lifestyle of veganism by donating 100% of proceeds from various art projects to non-profit vegan organisations.
María Lecanda is a Mexican photographer and illustrator currently based in Belgium. Like many others, her passion for marine conservation started with diving and wildlife encounters.
As a photographer she has captured images to help communicate the richness of the world beneath the surface, such as that of the Revillagigedo Archipelago marine reserve in Mexico. However, when limited to stay above the surface, she found respite in creating images of said richness and started BLACKSCATTER as a collection of stippled ink art, inspired by wildlife and the desire to bring nature and the underwater world into our homes.
The scattered ink art of BLACKSCATTER is achieved through stippling, a technique where you paint images with dots - like a printer would, only printers do it with remarkably smaller dots and much higher speed and precision. The values of shade and light are achieved by painting them closer together or further apart.
Deanna Derosia is an illustrator and biologist born and raised in the sunny Treasure Coast of Florida. Growing up next door to nesting sea turtles, strolling alligators, and bright pink spoonbills ignited her curiosity for the natural world, and inspired her to preserve unique habitats like Florida’s for generations to come. She founded her business Sealacanth Studios to now help others explore our natural world, discover its oddities, and learn about their own next door critters through the storytelling quality of art.
My name is Alicia van den Abeele, I am an animal and abstract artist from Belgium based in London. I picked up my first pencils and paintbrushes at a very young age, but I properly turned my artistic passion into a career in 2020. The natural world around me is my biggest inspiration and through my work I aspire to convey the incredible character and beauty of animals. I am also exploring wildlife artivism - where my artworks hold a stronger wildlife conservation message, and artistic therapy - where I explore human emotions and phenomenons through artistic expression.
I also graduated as a Zoologist and a Master in Anthrozoology, and conducted research on the horse-human communication, explaining and narrowing the gap between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom.
I trust that the natural world and the world of art can mutually influence each other: the natural world can remarkably inspire artistic creations, and our creativity can help us better understand the natural world around us.
Hi, I'm AJ! I am a marine biology student and artist, using my artwork to support my dream of becoming a marine mammal scientist.
PintOfAngryBees was started during the covid19 lockdown in 2020 when I was let go from my barista job. I had been toying with the idea of turning my love for drawing into a job that could support me throughout my studies, but it took the pandemic to make it happen.
I am a mature student studying marine biology in Scotland and use the income from my artwork and a tutoring job to support myself and save for internships to get that all-important work experience. Prior to attending university, I worked a variety of jobs, from stacking shelves to voluntary work as a gliding instructor.
My artwork is mainly inspired by cetaceans and scientific papers on them, although other aspects of the ocean creep in from time to time. I think most people see whales and dolphins as the standard grey bottlenose or "Shamu", so I want to show just how diverse and multidimensional cetaceans actually are, especially when it comes to the more elusive and unknown species. My hope is that by creating artworks about cetacean science I can help people understand that there is so much more diversity on their doorstep while supporting my degree and ambitions to become a scientist.
Roberts journey as a professional artist started in spring of 2020. Having spent almost half his life as a ski instructor, covid left a huge void. A void that would be filled with art.
With all the external pressures taken away, Robert naturally drifted towards Art. More specifically - detailed graphite and charcoal drawings.
In his first year as an artist he received a 'highly commended award' for the DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year. He also managed to rase £2000 for wildlife charities, through the sales of his artwork.
Moving forward robert wants to use his art to shine a light on the unhealthy relationship we as humans have with the planet we live on.
Cherilyn Ramsey is a self-taught artist originating from Gulf Coast of Florida. An avid surfer, diver, and traveler, always drawing inspiration from the natural world around her. She has lived in various places including, Australia, New Zealand, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, and now the Big Island of Hawai’i.
This art reflects her extreme passion for the natural world, especially the ocean. All designs are hand drawn with pen, graphite, watercolor, and charcoal. Some designs take weeks or even months to complete, as they are very detailed and high contrast. Her designs are made to pop off the paper and make a statement in any room. Her hope is that this art allows one to gain a deeper appreciation for the raw, exciting, natural world around us.
Hi, I'm Nicola Jane Gillyon. I started off as a 1:1 for children with ASD. Left after 10 years to try drawing for a living, as very lucky to have always been able to draw. Have spent the last 7 years building up my business, with wildlife and pet portraits but have reached a point where I want to be able to do more and say more with my art, especially the way the world is heading and the horrific things that happen, just feel I could do more. I have dropped the pet portraits, and will be just completing wildlife pieces and conservation pieces. I would like to, within the next 3 years, be able to work totally on wildlife pieces but just have too many financial commitments at the moment but having the plan in place keeps me motivated. Also following and engaging with like minded artists that are already further along the conservation path or leaders in that field really helps to motivate me.
I don't have any particular type of animal I prefer to draw, just a passion for wildlife in general so will happily flit between drawings
Zoe Fitchet is a wildlife artist from the South of England, who uses her work to raise awareness and donates a portion of her sales to wildlife conservation projects around the world. Working in acrylic or coloured pencil, Zoe creates highly detailed, realistic artwork, depicting wild animals in a contemporary style.
From a young age Zoe has worked hard to grow her ability and skill, always seeking ways to improve the accuracy of her pieces. “I love to challenge myself to achieve realism in my work. I want the viewer to feel as though the portrait could take a breath at any moment, creating lifelike detail which allows them to see and appreciate the beauty of each animal. It is my intention with each portrait to capture life, character and sometimes movement; making the eyes alive is often the most crucial part hence why they are usually the first thing to complete.”
A floating garden island, which cleans water and provides a home for birds, a tide pool painting created using the watery flow of paint, a dialogue between teenagers about climate change; my art addresses the relationship between humanity and nature, in oneness and in antagonism. I am interested in the power of art to express this fulcrum, the grace of connection, the denial and disconnection from dissociation with the natural world, the hope of mitigation and the struggle of adaptation that is part of the present experience.
Through painting, photography, video and community installations I depict personal ecologies, our connections and disconnections with ourselves, each other, and nature. I am co-founder and art director of Biomatrix Water a company that combines art, nature, and technology to create solutions to issues of water pollution and habitat degradation.
I’m Christina. I’m a self-taught artist from Augsburg/Germany and have been painting all my life. Almost 20 years ago I tried the first time oil paints. After periods with longer breaks from art, I’ve intensified painting in recent years and want to make it even more a part of my life in the future.
As a nature lover, ocean enthusiast and diver, I have been actively involved in shark and marine conservation since 2018. As part of this work I deal with a variety of issues such as, overfishing, fin trade, IUU and species extinction.
With my animal portraits, I’m gradually trying to combine my art and conservation. I want to show how important the ocean with its inhabitants and nature in general is. Every grain of sand in an ecosystem has its function. And no matter how small it may be, if it disappears it can have unimagined consequences.
One single person cannot save the world. But many people can have a great impact on our planet with their conscious actions. You just have to do it.
I am a published pet portrait and conservation artist from the UK and specialise in highly detailed oil paintings and pencil drawings.
I have always been passionate about wildlife and the natural world. I have a Bachelors Degree in Zoology and a Masters degree in Biodiversity and Conservation. I draw a lot of my inspiration through my years of travelling and knowledge in the zoological field. Through this I create intricate oil paintings and drawings that capture the animals personality and spirit. Where I can I like to get involved with a number of wildlife charities and donate art and hold fundraisers through social media. I believe in the power of promoting conservation through art. To name a few I've worked with Animals Asia, Explorers against extinction, Wires, Cheetah the movie and a number of Wildlife parks. I am currently an Ambassador artist for African Wildlife art INVICTA wildlife fund.
My work is sold worldwide. I have had my work published in two books, Britains orchids wildguide 2021 and I'm currently the front cover artist to a new York times best selling author Kate Carlisle (Abense of mallets). I have been a finalist in the David Shepherd wildlife artist of the year awards and my work is currently licensed by MGL licensing. For every order placed I plant trees with the company on tree planted. Creating beautiful art and helping to restore our natural world.
Shelley Hanmo Qian (last name pronounced as "Chan") is a US-based freelance illustrator specialized in creating collage art for children's books, editorial designs and more. Born and raised in China, Shelley moved to the United States for school when she was 18. She graduated from Indiana University with a Doctor in Music and a master’s degree in arts administration and earned her name as an award-winning pianist. In parallel to Shelley’s academic and musical accomplishments, paper art has been her creative outlet for many years. In 2019, Shelley decided to pursue her passion in illustration, hence she launched her art studio Junonia Arts to share her works with the world. Her art often features animals in nature, diverse characters, cultural stories, and imaginative plays, using mostly repurposed paper materials such as magazine pages, shopping bags, mailing catalogs, wrapping paper, etc. Through Junonia Arts, Shelley hopes to promote the awareness of reusing and upcycling while bringing joy to many others through her storytelling illustrations. Shelley has worked with clients throughout the US, including Mighty Kind Magazine, United We Dream, Indianapolis Zoo, Brooklyn Art Library, Surf Shack Puzzles, Kurandza, etc. She is an active member of SCBWI, Directory of Illustration (DI), and Illustrators For Hire (IFH).
Colleen Flanigan is a socio-ecological artist. Through visual, performing, and biological arts, she investigates contemporary issues of species endangerment and ecosystem regeneration, specifically coral reefs. Her work encompasses Living Sea Sculptures, conversation-catalyzing alter egos, participatory multimedia exhibitions, and more.She has a BA in Design from UCLA and a post-baccalaureate degree in Metals from the Oregon College of Art and Craft. She studied mineral accretion technology in Bali with its inventor, Wolf Hilbertz (2004). This method for coral reef restoration shares many metallurgical, electrical, and chemical principles with her early jewelry and sculpture, which encompassed electroforming, casting, welding, surface patinas, mixed media, and installation.
"Working with the international scientific and dive communities, and with the many people who wish to take action to study and care for coral ecosystems, I am looking for partners and locations to create and install more living sea sculptures."
Lauren Faust earned her BFA in Ceramics from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in Eau Claire, WI and did Post-Baccalaureate Studies in Clay at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. She then went on to earn an MSN, Graduate Entry Masters Program Nursing at Rush University Medical Center College of Nursing in Chicago, IL. She currently works as a Registered Nurse, RN, MSN in addition to engaging in her busy clay studio practice.
Lauren Faust's arresting illustrated pottery is an exploration of the precious flora and fauna with whom we share the world and for whom we reserve progressively less and less habit and resources. In scrumptious black stoneware impressed with handmade stamps and gilded in luminous underglaze, Lauren builds gorgeous worlds populated with some of the more potentially ephemeral inhabitants of ours, such as endangered pangolins, whale sharks, and corals, preserved like a record in the permanence of fired clay. Her pots are wonderful to touch, and they are super functional, promising enormous potential for interaction and falling in love with her vessels and their animal inhabitants. Look past the beauty of her designs and see the petition in this work to care about the creatures and environments in our world as more than just pretty things to look at but as beings worthy of preservation in their own right -and of space in our world.
My name is Fabian Lavater. I am a Swiss artist & illustrator currently based in Biarritz in the Southwest of France on the Atlantic Ocean.
My inspiration comes from the beautiful sport of surfing, the ocean itself as well as all other things mother nature has to offer. Growing up in Switzerland, my childhood outdoor adventures mainly took place in the Alps or in the Mediterrean Sea. It took me 21 years to finally discover the beautiful sport of surfing, and I am hooked ever since that first wave.
For a long time drawing was more of an intense hobby besides studying (not art). After graduating with a masters in sustainable development with a major in economics and an unsatisfying year trying to live the corperate life, I decided to make art my career path.
I am a multi award winning pencil artist specialising in animal art. Through my work I aim to portray emotion which is then reflected in the viewers life. Whether it’s to resurface a memory or a longing to see the animal that’s in the art in front of them.
I work closely with conservation charities and at the beginning of the year, began a surrealism series which explores what the universe would be like if each ecosystem has its own planet to live on.
I am also a brand ambassador for Derwent Art and through this I hope to encourage others to be creative as well as my aim to leave the planet slightly better than I found it through my art.
Specialized in surrealistic Art Ladislas is developing an Imaginarium of dreamscapes filled
with animals and plants. Through his body of work, he’s including an ecological theme at the core of
the pieces he’s creating. His work explores core themes like the human connection with nature and
the interdependency that comes from it.
Through the years of working as an illustrator, Ladislas carefully crafted his unique visual language
imagery and universe inspired by “nature” and “pop surrealism”, following his intuition and passion
for Art and interest in ecology.
This research drove him into the field of contemporary Art where Ladislas has the freedom to
develop more personal projects.
His fine art and illustrator careers are intertwined, nourishing themselves one from the other.
His goal is to use his vision and art to collaborate on projects to raise awareness about the protection
of the environment using creativity.
He’s working with clients who want to commit themselves and act for a positive sustainable social
change in society.
After more than 2 years of hard work, Ladislas released in collaboration with the Hawai organization
for the protection of the oceans Pangea Seed foundation & his friend Alizée Capellier the
Artbook SeaChange: A decade of Activism for the oceans. This book that he co-created is
highlighting the various issues that the oceans are facing and the Artistic interpretations that
international street artists and illustrators created as part of the SeaWalls project.
Hi, I'm Katrin - illustrating daydreams and creating dreamworlds.
My work embodies my passion for vibrant colours, textures and creating vivid characters with unique personalities. Adding cute little details give my illustrations an extra sparkle.
With my illustrations I want to bring, empathy, joy and a little bit of magic into the world. I want to show how to live in harmony with nature and with all creatures on our wonderfull planet. Small things can have a massive impact.
Tash is a self taught wildlife illustrator and the small business owner behind Hatchling Makes, where she highlights endangered and under appreciated animal species.
Coming from both an artistic and animal loving family, Tash has spent most of her life with a pencil in hand, drawing animals that she saw on trips to the zoo or visiting family in Australia. In 2018, she learned that giraffes had been silently added to the IUCN Red List and began a 100 day project where she embroidered a different endangered animal every day to raise awareness for them and to share their stories. Tash is also the host of The Under Appreciated Animals Podcast, where she highlights a different under appreciated animal in every episode in an entertaining and fun way.
Tash opened Hatchling Makes in 2017 where she creates art and gifts for animal lovers of all ages. As she’s inspired so much by the natural world, 10% of every sale through Hatchling Makes is donated to wildlife conservation, so that future generations can be inspired by wildlife the way that she has been.
I was born in the Czech Republic, but I'm currently based in Oxfordshire, UK. As far as I can remember I loved drawing and animals.
In 2006 I started to study Visual Arts in Valhalla, New York. There I took an oil painting classes and since then oil paint became my favourite medium to use. I loved painting mainly human portraits.
I took a break from art and returned to it in 2015. Then in 2016 I discovered coloured pencils and they quickly became my favourite medium to use. I simply loved the amount of detail I could achieve with coloured pencils.
I now concentrate on highly detailed pet and wildlife portraits. I am passionate about creating drawings with a message to bring awareness on climate change, extinction of animals, poaching and other problems causes mainly by human activity. In the future I would like to concentrate on wildlife art and to support conservation charities.
Josh Gluckstein is a London based wildlife artist. Sustainability is at the heart of his practice, and he uses found and recycled materials to create life-size animal sculptures. Inspired by his travels, Josh seeks to recreate the presence and personality of some of the most majestic animals he has seen in the wild.
In lockdown with limited resources and lots of time to think, Josh began to experiment with recycled cardboard. The accessibility and versatility of cardboard with its many tones and textures, allows Josh to capture unique details and raw emotion, all whilst creating almost zero waste.
Cardboard has now become the fundamental material in josh’s practice and depending on the piece, Josh integrates recycled fabric, tissue paper, and faux fur to help bring his animals to life.
Claire is a wildlife artist who is completely passionate about all kinds of animals. Her foremost goal is to help raise the awareness of endangered species through her art, to draw attention to the challenges many animals face.
Claire works predominantly in acrylic paint or colour pencil often mixing mediums to create unique, individual artworks to showcase her distinctive style.
Claire is actively involved in raising important funds for animal charities and has contributed to a number of good causes such as: Coral Reef Alliance, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, Belize Wildcat Foundation, Mona UK, Woburn Safari Park, and the Prints for Pangolins fundraiser exhibition.
Claire has also achieved high recognition within the art community. She has been once again been accepted for the “Artist’s for Painted Dogs” Autumn 2022 Exhibition; In both 2019 and 2021 she was a finalist in the Explorers Against Extinction “Sketch for Survival” competition; She was a finalist in the prestigious David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year 2020 and also shortlisted as a finalist in the 2021 SAA “Artist of the Year” competition.
Claire has a BA Hons in Photography; is a participant in the South East Open Studios annual event and a member of Sussex Artist’s society.
Claire lives in the rural outskirts of Dormansland with her husband, two sons and beloved cockapoo, Marley.
My artwork explores the weird and wonderful life in our oceans.
I weave intricate pen and ink drawings abundant with details that offer something new to discover each time you look at them! A keen scuba diver, my artwork draws upon my experiences underwater.
My drawings explore an animal's physiology, environment and role in its ecosystem, and the interconnectedness of ecosystems and all life on Earth.
In the vast unknown realms of our world hidden under the waves, our imagination can really take flight. I bring together the micro and macro worlds of our oceans. Scale is an illusion, and I include playful, imaginative, sometimes surreal details.
Lots of detail inevitably takes lots of time; my largest projects take six to eight months to complete and my smaller drawings take a couple of weeks.
Jolyon is a philanthropist, artist, mentor, and founder of the nonprofit Counting Coral. Jolyon had an early love for the ocean, which led to an awareness of its importance and vulnerability. He found a passion for coral reefs while being an ocean videographer for surfers. Amongst countless years of ocean exploration, Jolyon developed his skill sets as a designer, artist, and custom home-builder. He works for high profile individuals and CEO’s across Los Angeles and Malibu, turning ideas into reality. With coral reefs taking the brunt of the worsening climate change, Jolyon decided to connect his worlds of conservation and artistry to take direct action. 2 years ago Jolyon founded Counting Coral, where underwater art installations began as a doodle and grand idea. Overtime, these sculptures were developed scientifically and artistically, initiating the journey of an artistic approach to global coral conservation.
Detlef Tibax is a Belgian wildlife conservation artist and the founder of Art4Conservation, a non-profit organisation that is devoted to raising vital funds for wildlife conservation through art sales, charity events and online campaigns. Having graduated with a degree in Marine and Behavioral Biology, Detlef's passion for the natural world and love for art have been defining factors throughout his life. His hopes are to reconnect people to nature through creative storytelling, to build a stronger conservation art community and to raise awareness on the environmental challenges the world is facing today.
Sofiya is a Russian-native Singapore-based wildlife artivist and conservationist. Using her art, she urges public attention to less known, less covered conservation topics. Both education and work experience in conservation help Sofiya to be at 'the heart' of wildlife protection, making her art all the more powerful. She previously collaborated with various researchers and conservation NGOs (among them, ACRES, TRAFFIC, FLIGHT, Planet Indonesia, Save Vietnam's Wildlife, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and Creature Conserve). Apart from creating wildlife art, Sofiya works at the IUCN SSC Asian Songbird Trade Specialist Group.
Born and raised in Zimbabwe, my passion for wildlife started at an early age. My earliest memories include early morning drives in my beloved Hwange National Park. Art came as a by-product and a way to express my passion. Studying photography at university, later completing field and trails guide qualifications, gave me an even greater appreciation for the natural world and a want to conserve it through my work. I have always been drawn to monochrome imagery, especially the simplicity of focus on tone and form, a feature I strive for in my works. It's also quite handy, being colour-blind!
Hi! I’m Lena, an Australian based artist and marine scientist. I’m self-taught and primarily focus on making detailed watercolour paintings of marine species and scenes. Each painting is hand painted and often takes me weeks to complete.
Diving from a young age has been a huge source of inspiration for my art. While studying at university I began painting larger scaled pieces using watercolours for the first time. Soon I was making and selling art prints on a range of platforms as Seagarden. My art has been an opening for conversations about one’s ocean experiences and how we can all be contributing to the restoration of our natural world.
I love that my art encourages ocean conservation through a shared passion of admiring how beautiful it is. Sharing our love for the sea can hugely impact our actions leading towards a sustainable lifestyle.
I enjoy creating things to be seen together with a contrasting effect, and images that question and entertain the discussion of connectivity. I like presenting wildlife in bizarre manners placing them in scenes that oppose practicality, creating an environment in which nature becomes unnatural.
I like to create images of wildlife species from completely different environments and have them interacting as friends.
My work is sort of a depiction of my troubled upbringing... always gravitating towards the wrong crowd and always somehow finding my way out of it when things got to be too much, or led away by another - the marine life in my work depicts a higher conscious when I was a child.
Sadie James is an award-winning and renowned artist and children’s author and illustrator. Born in Wales and a qualified teacher, Sadie has taught Art in the UK and Australia. She completed a Master of Arts from the prestigious Central St. Martins University, London but now calls the World Heritage Ningaloo Coast home, after emigrating in 2012. She travels between the seaside towns of Coral Bay and Exmouth, Western Australia, where she creates her art and manages her two signature galleries.
Inspired by the coral playground of the Ningaloo Reef and the semi-arid ranges of the North West Cape, Sadie poignantly captures the nuanced scapes using acrylic on canvas. The fauna that abounds these environments have also become the animated characters in her children’s storybooks which she affectionately illustrates. Sadie has published three books; ‘The Whale Shark Song’,‘The Bubble’ and ‘Meet the Reef’ with a fouth, ‘The Puggle and the Humbug’, to be launched soon. She was Short-listed for ‘The Crichton Award’ as part of the CBCA, Book of the Year Awards, 2012 for best new illustrator.
Alena Ebeling-Schuld (she/they) is a multimedia wildlife conservation artist and scientist living in beautiful coastal British Columbia, within the unceded territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples.
Alena is passionate about the complex interconnectivity that exists within all aspects of our shared world. They are driven through their art and research to highlight what connects us all and use it to inspire action, bring optimism, and find sustainable solutions that benefit nature and empower communities.
Alena uses her art to celebrate the joy of nature, spread awareness about conservation, and inspire action to protect nature - especially when it comes to underappreciated species (like slugs!). She runs a small online shop called Owl & Bear Studio, where she sells illustrations and other nature-inspired products that support conservation initiatives.
Joy Clifton is a visual artist, who captures the fluidity of the ocean realm focusing on the movement of water the abstraction of light and the sea creatures that inhabit this realm. Having spent many years living by the ocean and travelling the world she draws on this inspiration in her work. In her work there is an echo of conservation and she addresses current issues that are affecting the natural world. Joy works primarily in watercolour and acrylics depending on the subject matter.
Originally from rural Warwickshire where her parents nurtured her love for Art and the nature world. She completed her degree in Illustration at University of Wales, Trinity St David in Swansea followed by further studies in Art Education at University Wales Institute Cardiff. After working as an Art & Design Teacher for many years she has now made the switch to working as a full time visual artist. Now based in London where she lives with her husband and their two young boys.
Jasmin Heard is a mixed media artist who specialises in oil painting, ceramics and photography. She recently studied Fine Art at Bath Spa University, and graduated at home during the 2020 lockdown.
Passionate about the natural world, her art has always centred around human relationship with the environment - topics such as; plastic pollution, oil spills, deforestation and coral bleaching. Coral reefs have been the subject of her work for the past 4 years, and aims to raise more awareness of the alarming decline of reefs around the world.
Her latest oil paintings feature glow in the dark pigments as a beautiful but sad reference to how corals glow when they are stressed and trying to cling to survival.
Emily is an artist with a deep desire to connect people to the wilderness. She has spent her career to date travelling and searching for fresh perspectives in wild spaces, while ever-bracing the notion to storytell. She has built relationships with conservationists, guardians of wilderness and animal activists around the world which have brought meaning and clarity to her work. It is of utmost importance to continue the journey of evolution through her art, challenge herself continuously and find a common ground and dialogue to shed light on todays issues.
She has sold internationally in numerous group and solo shows.
Tobie Chevallier is an independent product designer based in Paris. He works mainly on the design of scenography, furniture, lighting and other various domestic objects. Juggling between design, manufacture and transmission, he also intervenes in schools to share his know-how around the professions of design and craftsmanship through the manufacture of an object. His work is steeped in his ecological sensitivity, his link with nature and the elements that compose it. He mainly uses accessible primary materials such as wood, clay, paper or even bamboo. He pays particular attention to our uses, which he questions, as well as to the poetic dimension of his projects, carrying new imaginary and narratives to drive change.
Tobie Chevallier's work was recently presented at the “Frugal” exhibition during Paris Design Week 2021 as well as at the Grand Palais Éphémère during the 2022 ChangeNow fair.
My work transforms sterile scientific facts into a rich visual landscape that can be easily accessed intellectually and emotionally by a wide range of people. In particular, I am drawn to mural work because of the inherently democratic viewership. To experience a public mural, the viewer does not need money, education, status, or access to spaces of privilege such as galleries or museums. When a mural is painted in a public space, through content, form, and sheer size, it has the enormous power to transform that space into a “place.” It can provide the seed for a more active, vibrant, collaborative, and discursive arena, and even set the intention of the actions that occur in that space through its collaborative creation and subject matter.
My work is focused on the natural world, our place in it, and the conflicts and collaborations we find ourselves in everyday with nature. My bright, carefully researched murals often aim to disrupt deeply embedded beliefs about Aristotle’s hierarchy of nature. I render birds, animals, and plants to evoke a sense of awe and reverence for these beings. Although extinction and loss loom in the man-made Anthropocene era, I hope that my paintings call attention to the magnificent beauty that still exists in nature today.
Bristol based artist Rosie expresses herself creatively through linocut techniques.
She is an advanced diver and her art is inspired through her underwater travels & adventures in the UK and across the globe. Witnessing the devastating effects of plastic first hand in our oceans, it goes without saying that plastic is exempt from all the materials Rosie uses in the process of creating her prints and all the packaging she uses is fully biodegradable.
Led by a love for all things marine, places hard-to-get-to and remote outdoor expanses, her objectives are to connect people with wild places and spaces, setting souls on fire for adventure filled discovery.
Artist | Conservationist
Jarrod is an artist living in Boston Massachusetts in the United States. As a small child growing up in a rural setting, he developed an intrinsic connection to the natural world, but also witnessed the harmful relationship humankind has with wildlife. As a grown artist, his work aims to portray these narratives as they play out all across globe, hoping to enact change before its too late.
Jarrod primarily works with acrylics and paints in a traditional style while honoring the realism of the natural life he portrays. However, he also enjoys the challenge of utilizing other media as well. His work has been exhibited throughout that U.S and in England.
Matilda, the artist behind artworkbymatilda, is an author, graphic designer and environmental illustrator, born and raised in Mena Creek, off the coast of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. At the age of 14, she published her first children’s book “The Parrot Party at Paronella Park” and, now at 23, she is illustrating her eighth book. Recently, Matilda fulfilled a dream by becoming an artwork contributor for Australian Geographic. She regularly creates illustrations to raise awareness about the conservation of different species of flora and fauna, displaying them as infographics to educate her viewers.
Matilda's upcoming ventures aim to expand her reach globally, spreading her passion for the environment and conservation. Through her work and her business MAROBI, she hopes to inspire others to develop a similar love for nature and collaborate in building a brighter future for our planet.
As an artist, I have always been drawn to the beauty and wonder of the natural world, particularly the incredible diversity of animal life that surrounds us. Through my art, I strive to capture the essence of these amazing creatures and share their stories with the world.
Based in Scotland I have been surrounded by vast landscapes and unique wildlife as long as I can remember. I have always been drawn to the beauty and wonder of the natural world, particularly the incredible diversity of animal life that surrounds us. Through my art, I strive to capture the essence of these amazing creatures and share their stories with the world. I create detailed oil paintings captured “hair by hair” to showcase all of the unique qualities of wildlife and some can take many months to complete. My work has been shortlisted for the sketch for survival exhibition 2022 and also the painted dogs autumn exhibition, both raising funds for important conservation projects. I hope one day to travel out to photograph and document these incredible species in person and do all I can for conservation.
I am a contemporary wildlife, equestrian and nature inspired artist dedicated to promoting conservation through my work with a percentage from each piece going straight back to the many animals I depict. My work is bold, bright and expressive and I am a bit of an experimenter, but love nothing more than getting down and dirty with a stick of charcoal! I have a passion for horses, terriers and all wildlife, but Painted Dogs (aka the Painted Wolf or African Wild Dog) are my go to species and with only roughly 6600 left in the wild today, I hope my paintings and drawings of them help promote awareness and raise vital funds for this enigmatic species.
In 2020 I created and founded Artists for Painted Dogs a collaboration of wildlife artists from across the globe raising funds for all wildlife through online exhibitions and events on our dedicated website and thus far we have donated over £100,000 to conservation charities. We hope to continue to support projects throughout the world with our artworks.
