Sea Turtle

[Val]

 

[liz]

Can't wait to see the finished painting of the happy fella!  He's got good swimming form! You're very patient and have good control of your brush to be able to work on the detailed colors and shapes!   
 
Once when I was swimming, both I and a juvenile turtle, with a head the size of a mature husked coconut, came up the same time for air!  Wouldn't it have been something if someone photographed/painted both of our expressions, right then? 

[Val]

  Liz I've often thought that would make such a fabulous picture, but unfortunately I'm always the one snorkelling and freediving with them...and usually have the camera. Lloyd says not many people are able to get as close with them as I do, I never try to touch them, but have had a couple touch me. Thrilling!

[liz]

How wonderful that you snorkel! Go, girl!
So where's Lloyd with the camera?!  I've seen large turtles in a popular snorkeling spot in Kona, Hawaii and a shark along the reef, but can't free dive long enough to take photos!

[Val]

I've only managed to get one poor snap of a rather shy 4' nurse shark...and I had to chase her to get it! Unfortunately, Lloyd can't dive down so he usually follows me around and just keeps an eye on me....wonder why 

[liz]

It's all about  , Val.   

[Kelley]

I miss SCUBA diving Val.  I used to go every other weekend when I lived in Panama.  I would just sit down at 30 to 40 feet down on the sea floor and watch critters go by.  It was so relaxing I would almost forget I was underwater. A majority of people I dove with couldn't stay under as long as I could because I'd only use half the tank by the time they were near empty.  Anyhow, it's not easy taking good pictures unless you have a decent camera and underwater gear that can handle the pressure.  Snorkeling is so much easier and can be just as rewarding if you are patient.

Your painting is marvelous so far Val.  Keep plugging away!     

[Val]

I don't have diving gear Kelley, we have a hookamax (110v) that has 100' of hose that's good for about 50' depth. Use it mostly for cleaning the boat bottom!    Thinking of having the hose split in two...then Lloyd can do around the waterline and saildrives! 
Its easier just to snorkel and freedive, plus the turtles won't let you nearly as close with tank...don't seem to like the bubbles!

[Kelley]

  Well, that would explain why I've never been able to approach a sea turtle.

[liz]

GREAT!  With your hookamax, you do all the work and have all the fun.  I once used the same in a popular snorkeling spot, but only went down 20-25 feet, saw lots of coral and fish.  I'm not as brave as you!  I'll bet you have a lot of sea life paintings!  I plan to paint a sunset picture with a seal lying on the beach and secured permission from the photographer already!

[Val]

Excellent Liz  I actually started to sketch a cushion starfish today, thinking about making it a painting. Actually I haven't done a lot of sealife at all. Have been thinking about doing  a whole series of seacritters! I think they'd be fun.

Poor Kelley...I found by mimicking their movements in a relaxed manner allowed me to work my way closer to them and sometimes they would swim within1-2' of me just to take a look at the weird turtle!! 

[Tony (ASM)]

I just popped over to see how the Turtle was coming on Val.

[Val]

He's next in line...I've got quite a few ideas now on how to get the sunlight effect on his back...bit nervous about it but going to give it a go. 
Thanks for popping in...I need all the 'nudges'  I can get! 

[nolan]

 


there u go 

[Val]

  Now I'm feeling loved! 
Might have to put him in front of the mountain!!