"The Lost Years" - Sea Turtle Paper Sculpture

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!

Where Are All My Baby Sea Turtles?

I have created many different pieces and parts for my Under the Sea themed aquariums. I made sea turtles, seashells, sea anemone, sea plants, starfish, rocks, coral and lots and lots of hand cut paper sand.

I started working on this project after reading about the baby sea turtles and the adventures they must go through just to survive. Researching sea turtles really sparked my interest and inspired me to create an entire series of paper sculptures with an under the sea theme. Many of these finished pieces highlight sea turtles and their lives and some of the finished pieces reflect the beautiful under water world that exits in our oceans.

After a sea turtle hatches from its’ egg, they must work their way down the sandy beach til they reach the water. For the first ten years of their lives, scientists aren’t exactly certain where the sea turtles live. I imagine they will thrive living among the coral reefs.

I found that to be so interesting which started me on a path of creating interesting ways of showcasing a variety of different under the water scenes. I thought you may be wondering where all these baby sea turtles have gone, and how did I incorporate them into my art. Here are some close up views of the sea turtles along with the finished aquariums.

"Baby Sea Turtle Adventures" - 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!

Paper Sea Turtles - Part Five

Sea Turtles

I’ve always heard many stories and read articles about the sea turtles that lay their eggs on the beaches, and then when the baby turtles hatch, somehow, they have to make their way to the beach. It is a long trek and can be a dangerous one for these little animals.

I decided I wanted to make several final images using my under the sea aquarium concept to highlight sea turtles. I want to show some of the sea turtles still on the beach, hatching out of their eggs.I also wanted to illustrate the concept of the long, difficult journey that these sea turtles have to take to crawl back into the ocean.

Now that I had an idea in mind, along with some rough sketch ideas, I was well underway to developing my under the sea series, complete with sea turtles.

I started making a couple of different sea turtles using paper and then painting them in watercolor and gouache. They are about 1” - 2” in size. I love this turtles little face!

The babies are only about .5 inches. After making these adorable little sea turtles I got to work on creating their little eggs. Below are photos of some of the turtles I made so far.

Next, I will make some colorful starfish for my under the sea aquariums.