Melinda Fabian Melinda Fabian

"The Lost Years" - Sea Turtle Paper Sculpture

Paper sculpture of the life of young sea turtles swimming in the coral reef. These years are known as “The Lost Years’.

Let's dive right in and explore the intricacies of this mesmerizing piece. "The Lost Years" is a three-dimensional sculpture that creates an enchanting underwater scene within a transparent cylindrical vessel. Imagine being immersed in an underwater wonderland, with a vivid representation of a coral reef at the base. The diverse range of colors – from pinks and oranges to yellows and greens – brings this underwater ecosystem to life. With textured details and granular touches, the reef truly resembles the complexity and diversity found in nature.

As you gaze upwards inside the clear vessel, you'll discover elements that mimic marine life, aquatic plants, and coral formations. These vibrant colors – greens, yellows, pinks, and blues – are arranged in vertical patterns, creating a sense of weightlessness and movement, as if you're exploring the depths of the ocean.

Now, let's talk about what inspired me to create "The Lost Years." Have you ever heard of the mysterious first decade in a turtle's life? Once these tiny turtles make it to the ocean, scientists don't know exactly where they go or live during this time – hence the term "The Lost Years". I found this concept intriguing and decided to capture their journey and story through my artwork.

In my imagination, "The Lost Years" serves as a beautiful, colorful, peaceful, and safe world for these turtles. This underwater sanctuary is filled with fish, seashells, starfish, and coral. It's a hidden place, away from the rest of the world, where these young turtles can learn, grow, and thrive. This artwork reminds us of the importance of preserving our environment and protecting these mysterious under-the-sea worlds for these little sea turtles.

Now, let's dive into the unique process of creating this artwork. "The Lost Years" is made entirely from hand-cut, acid-free, and archival papers. From the intricate details of the sculpture to the sand-like texture on the base, each element is carefully crafted from painted papers to create a lifelike appearance. The vibrant scene on the base is also painted using watercolor and gouache, adding an extra layer of depth and beauty to the artwork.

To showcase this captivating sculpture, it can be placed on a tabletop or displayed with a rotating, lighted base. The electric base offers a color-changing option or can be set to a solid color. The choice is yours to create the perfect ambiance and highlight the intricacies of "The Lost Years."

If you're as captivated by this awe-inspiring artwork as I am, "The Lost Years" can be yours for $950.00. The glass aquarium measures 4" in diameter and 7.5" high, while the rotating base is 4.5" in diameter and 1" high.

"The Lost Years" invites you to get lost in the enchanting world beneath the sea and raises awareness about the importance of preserving these mysterious environments. Let this sculpture serve as a reminder to protect our oceans and their incredible inhabitants.

That's it for today! I hope you enjoyed learning about "The Lost Years" and the inspiration behind it. Don't forget to keep an eye out for future creations that transcend the boundaries of art and imagination.

4.5” x 7.5” (Includes the rotating, lighted base)…………………………………..$950.00

“The Lost Years” is available for purchase at my SHOP

Until next time!

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Frank Fabian Frank Fabian

"Baby Sea Turtle Adventures" - Highlighting the Life of Sea Turtles

“Turtle Adventures” is a paper sculpture highlighting the life of sea turtles.

Introducing "Baby Sea Turtle Adventures," an extraordinary paper sculpture that delves into the awe-inspiring journey of sea turtles. At the heart of this captivating artwork is the story of these marvelous creatures and the mysterious first decade of their lives.

As you gaze upon "Baby Sea Turtle Adventures," you'll be immediately drawn to the enchanting sight of a tiny baby turtle hatching out of its shell. Ready to embark on an arduous journey, the baby turtle sets foot on the long, difficult sandy path that lies ahead. These little creatures make their way down the beach, desperately yearning to reach the ocean as quickly as possible.

In this intricately handcrafted sculpture, the baby turtle must find a small opening, its gateway to the breathtakingly beautiful ocean world. The entire scene is situated on a wooden base, meticulously textured to represent the sandy beach.

Every element of "Baby Sea Turtle Adventures" is meticulously made from hand-cut paper, including the minutely detailed grains of sand. Enclosed within the coral reef aquarium, you'll discover a plethora of exquisitely textured coral, starfish, seashells, and fish - all lovingly created using paper and paint. This vibrant and colorful world is the new home for the turtles, a place of safety and wonder once they reach their destination. Take note that one lucky turtle has already found its way to this spectacular undersea haven.

During my research, I stumbled upon a fascinating fact that adds another layer of intrigue to the story of sea turtles. For the first decade of their lives, scientists know very little about their whereabouts. After the tiny turtles make their way to the ocean, their exact location and journey remain a mystery. This period is often referred to as the "lost years." This very notion ignited my imagination and served as my inspiration while creating "Turtle Adventures."

In my vision, the undersea world represented in "Baby Sea Turtle Adventures" is a safe and peaceful sanctuary. It is a hidden realm, imbued with vibrant colors and brimming with life, where the turtles can flourish. This place emphasizes the importance of preserving these mystical undersea worlds for the sake of the newly hatched sea turtles.

I invite you to immerse yourself in the captivating saga of the sea turtles by exploring the intricate details and vibrant colors of "Baby Sea Turtle Adventures." Let the artwork remind you of the delicate balance of our environment and the crucial role we play in ensuring the preservation of these mysterious undersea realms.

“Baby Sea Turtles Adventures” is available for purchase at my SHOP

Thank you for joining me on this artistic voyage, and stay tuned for more stunning creations!

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Melinda Fabian Melinda Fabian

Capturing a World of Color

A three-dimensional artwork that seamlessly combines hand-cut paper, watercolor, and gouache to create a visually stunning piece. The artwork features a cylindrical clear glass container resting on a vibrant sculptural base with intricate textures resembling coral and exotic plant life.

I am so excited to share with you my paper sculpture titled, “Capturing a World of Color”. It is also currently a part of the Animals in Art Show 2024 at Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head, NC. You can view the show online or in person at the gallery. 10% of the proceeds from the art bought at this show, will go to the Coastal Humane Society in the Outer Banks, NC.

This piece is truly a labor of love, and I can't wait for you to see all the intricate details. Let me start by giving you a visual description of the artwork. “Capturing a World of Color” is a three-dimensional piece that features a cylindrical clear glass container as its centerpiece. This aquarium is surrounded by a beautifully textured sculptural base, which has an organic form with stunning pink, orange, and yellow hues. The textures resemble coral or exotic plant life, with starfish adding a touch of life and nature to the piece.

 Inside the glass aquarium, you will find a mesmerizing assemblage of colorful elements. These elements mimic aquatic flora and fauna, creating a vibrant underwater landscape. The underwater scene includes a variety of aquatic plants and creatures in different shades of blues, reds, and greens. Notice the sea turtle swimming among the plants. The colors and textures really come alive when the light interacts with them, thanks to the clear glass.

Now, you may be wondering what inspired me to create "Capturing a World of Color." Well, I've always been fascinated by the beauty of underwater ecosystems. I wanted to see if I could recreate that beauty using paper and paint, but with a twist. Instead of creating a traditional aquarium, I wanted to place the fish and coral reef inside a unique glass container, making the paper sculpture appear as though it is an actual underwater scene. The challenge of capturing the essence of an aquarium with unconventional materials was truly inspiring to me.

One of the most unique aspects of creating this artwork was the process itself. The entire piece is made by hand-cutting paper and then meticulously painting it with watercolor and gouache. The level of detail required was both challenging and rewarding. Additionally, the glass aquarium is placed on a sandy beach, which is also made out of finely hand-cut paper resembling sand. The colorful coral reef is not only displayed inside the glass aquarium but also on the sandy beach outside the glass, creating a cohesive and dynamic composition.

"Capturing a World of Color" celebrates the beauty of natural forms, textures, and the vibrancy of aquatic ecosystems. Through this piece, I hope to convey a message about the importance of biodiversity and the wonder of underwater life.

 I can't wait for you to experience “Capturing a World of Color" in person at Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head NC., or online at Seaside Art Gallery

It truly is a unique and captivating artwork. Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to check out my other creations!

8” high x 4” wide…………………..$895.00

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