This painting was done with the hope of getting into the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I'd heard they were interested in imagery with Bat Rays.So I rushed off to the library to check out pictures and was surprised to find none. In desperation I called the aquarium and was put through to the "Ray Keeper." I asked her what color Bat Rays were. "Grey." Do they have any distinctive patterns or markings? "No." Is there anything special about their shape, or anything? "Not really."

Oh well.

Bat Ray Kites is what I came up with. The aquarium wasn't interested, but it was a fun adventure.

This piece was done for the Newport Aquarium. It was originally printed as a holiday greeting card that was sold in the gift store, used by the staff, and sent out as a party invite for the aquarium volunteers. I enjoyed making this painting as otters are one of my all time favorite animals.

I was lucky to have the aquarium hire me again the next year... and by then I'd fallen in love with puffins.

This was a fun project! This was created for the Timberland Regional Libraries Summer reading program. This was the second year that I was hired by them and I just loved working on this. Their designer did a great job turning my artwork into posters, buttons, brochures, etc. Unfortunetly the funding for this kind of library art has dried up, but it was sure great while it lasted.

I hope that the future finds the libraries better funded so that creativity can continue to be celebrated... in all its forms.