Teresa Espaniola's Blog

Greetings,

Are you ready for 2023? Is everyone staying warm?

Coronado Island's Crown City Magazine featured my artwork for January 2023! I am honored to have been to be included! The magazine is about Coronado California with articles, recipes, photography, art, Coronado history and more. You can find my images on the cover and on pages 22-27 at CrownCityMagazine. Thank you Crown City's publisher Heather Canton and to artist Tina Christiansen for her article about me!

On another note: I have been thinking about those same old ways of bringing in the new year, especially new year resolutions. The idea of declaring resolutions is a traditional way to begin the new year. I personally have decided to ignore resolutions from now on. Why? Let me count the ways!

1. Usually the list is too long
2. Expectations can be very high
3. We look at the "bad" things about ourselves
4. We end up feeling "bad" if we don't keep the resolutions
5. Resolutions often don't change a thing
   

What do I want to do instead?  Simply to be good to myself on any day of the year especially on the difficult days.  I wish this for everyone as we navigate day to day life.  Either way you want to roll, enjoy the new year!

All art on my website www.teresaespaniola.com is 40% off now!  Use the code NEWYEAR2023 at checkout.

Thank you,

Teresa

The holidays are here, time for gathering with friends, family and, as always, food! The clocks have changed in most places around the planet. The new year is almost upon us. We have collectively endured a lot over the last three years. I am wishing everyone well for 2023.

Bayview Park. This is a peaceful place to sit on a bench and take in the view of San Diego across the bay from Coronado. The two trees in this painting are both gone due to their age and health. The park is still lovely with many other trees. If you are in Coronado and would like to visit the park, it is located on First Street and I Avenue.

Ponds by Makaiwa Bay. (Mah-kah-eve-ah) An outrigger rests on the rocky shore of this large pond surrounded by coconut trees. There is no one around but you as you listen to the sound of the breeze swaying the palm trees. If you head towards the bay, bring your mask, snorkel and fins and swim over coral reefs and colorful fish. During Humpback Whale season, you can hear their song if you take a deep breath and dive under the surface.

Poppies by the Sea. Poppies are the state flower for California. Their golden petals grace the land from the mountains to the sea. With a cliff side view of waves rolling towards the shore, the contrast of golden orange flowers and the sea green  complement each other nicely.

Poppies and Butterflies. Monarch butterflies dance and rest on poppies in this painting. The blooming flowers stand out against the deep blue sky. Don't get caught picking poppies, though. It is against the law in California. Who knew...

Estrella. This young horse posed for me. She loves to run and is very spirited! She lives in horse country, Montana, under the big sky.

There are different sizes on several mediums to choose from, starting from photo paper to metal and acrylic. Click on any painting to see the sizes and different mediums to print on. You can see how they look on a wall in several rooms.

With the discount code HOLIDAYS2022, all artwork on my website is 40% off for the holidays. If you plan to give a gift for the holidays, here are the predicted shipping dates:

Domestic Orders:

• December 6 - FedEx SmartPost
• December 7 - UPS SurePost (Economy)
• December 9 - USPS First Class Mail
• December 9 - FedEx/UPS Ground
• December 12 - USPS Priority Mail
• December 14 - 2-Day Shipping (FedEx and UPS)
• December 15 - Next Day Air (FedEx and UPS)

International Orders:

• November 28 - UPS International (Rest of World)
• December 6 - USPS Parcel Select
• December 7 - UPS Standard to Canada

Thank you for reading my blog.

Teresa

Looking North at Big Sur

I love to watch the ocean whenever I have a chance. Since I live in California, access to the sea is easy. The ocean's coloring and moods change hour by hour, revealing its many personalities. One section of California coastline that really caught my eye was Big Sur.

Eight years ago, my friend Roswitha from Switzerland visited me. From San Francisco, we drove South along the beautiful California coastline all the way down to Coronado. Along the way, we watched Humpback whales heading for Baja. We stood on clifftops to laugh at the large sea lions loud barking and jockeying for position on the rocky shore below. We walked among magnificent tall redwood trees. We admired many breathtaking views of land and sea.

On the Big Sur coastline, we were mesmerized by the colors of the churning ocean below. From cobalt to teal with foamy white patterns, to the brown and tan cliffs and rocky forested steep coastline, the beauty of it inspired me to paint.

For those of you who have had the pleasure of driving this very same coastline, you know what I mean. If you haven't had a chance, put it on your list for a wonderful detour from the noise of a busy city. Travel on the off season if you can.

With the holidays approaching, why not get ahead of the fray with gifts of art? I am offering 35% off on any and all prints on my website through the month of October.  With many artwork and printing options, (such as paper choices, canvas, metal, wood, acrylic and more), there are also several print sizes to choose from.  Use the code OCEAN at checkout. 

Thank you for reading my blog,

Teresa

Elaine and Cheddar

When I think about my mother Elaine, the first thing that pops in my mind is how silly she was. Whimsy showed up in her artsy-crafty creations. She was a master joke teller, with a bit of off-color punch lines that would get you laughing every time. I didn’t inherit her joke-telling skill, but I did soak up the whimsical creative crafty side that she exuded.

Elaine liked to create holiday decorations, filling our home with cork and toothpick reindeer that were spray-painted gold as they pulled a sled along the china cabinet. She also painted rocks with colorful designs. Mom would set out felt, scissors, glue, sequins, bric-a-brac and glitter so her children could make ornaments for various holidays - and to keep us occupied. Her creativity and silliness rubbed off on me.

She took care of her parents as they aged, kept in touch with her sisters and her friends and traveled to Norway to visit her mother’s extended family. She was a loving and kind person.  

Moozart

I miss my mother and think of her often.  Thank you for reading my blog! Happy Mother’s Day!  And celebrate Mother's Day with a 40% discount using the code MOTHERS_DAY on all artwork on my website.

Teresa

Creativity

Creativity is the ability to produce original and unusual ideas, to make something new or imaginative, to use your imagination to produce artwork.

Whether we love to prepare meals, arrange flowers, paint, sing, sew, bake, play an instrument, draw, dance, or enjoy lots of endeavors, creativity is good for us. If you don't believe me, just type in "How creativity is good for us" and read an article or two. One suggests that creativity improves our health, increases happiness, reduces the risk of dementia, boosts our immune system, relieves stress  - and can even make us smarter. I, for one, would add in FUN!

I know people who have had their art criticized in class. When the assigned project was finished, their teacher would analyze their work and say "You aren't supposed to paint a horse purple!" or "Snow isn't that color!" This can often lead to  squashing the idea of creating any art again. Being  creative is really the point, not 'perfection'. Was it fun to do? Of course, art isn't everyone's thing, hence the above list.

Here is an easy and simple creative idea:
1. Gather some 'found' objects, (such as feathers, leaves, sticks, rocks, shells, paper, scarves, and other objects) or find things around the house.
2. Use a base for your collage, which can be a piece of cardboard or paper. Add paint, crayons or markers if you want. A table top works, too.
3. Arrange your gathered items on your background and take a photo. Then slide them off and design another one! Nothing needs to be permanent unless you love it and want to glue it together. 

For example, I grabbed three images from the internet and one of mine. You can use scissors, paper, paint, puzzle pieces, and bits of items on hand. I used  a wood frame, palm leaves, shells, feathers, plants, stones and more. I took my photo, then disassembled it. It was fun! The possibilities are endless. I hope you give it a try. Oh, and kids love to make these, too.

Thanks for reading my blog.
Teresa

Nothing But Blue Skies

Hello, my friends,

These last two years have led us to navigate our lives differently than we have in the past. Having family and friends to connect with has made some tough days easier to move through. So many have shared their kindness and and laughter, uplifting those around them. I have been a recipient of this kindness and support and hopefully have shared some myself. Let's keep it up through 2022! May your holiday celebrations be filled with fun. May your dreams of the new year be uplifting and amazing!

~Teresa

PS  From now until the end of the year all prints are 40% off!  Use the discount code HOLIDAYS2021 on my website.  Lots of print sizes and different media (fine art paper, canvas, metal, etc) are available and you can preview the print on a wall in your living room, bedroom, office, etc!  Order early to ensure on time delivery.

Pyramid One

Octopus Garden

I love the ocean. I was fortunate enough to spend decades snorkeling along the coasts of the Hawaiian Islands, usually alone. The water was my sanctuary. I could leave all my cares on the shore and silence my mind. I learned how to be very quiet while swimming which gave me innumerable encounters with all manner of sea life.

Want to dance with feeding mantas?  Become a manta. Be still within, slow your pace and raise one arm (as they raise their ‘wing’ while coming toward you), then turn away simultaneously. It’s kind of like giving each other a high five but without actually touching the manta.

Dreaming of a dolphin encounter? Well, besides needing a bit of luck and knowing your timing, you might get to play the leaf game with them. If you spot a pod coming your way, bring a sturdy leaf into the water, wave it around below the surface and let it go when they see it. If they want to play with you, the chase is ON! They will take turns if you can keep up. If they don’t want to play, they will be gone in a flash. (Sometimes, slapping one of your fins on the water might bring them around.)

Turtle time? Again, become a turtle. Swim quietly and slowly while you move your arms like they move their flippers.

Important tip – while snorkeling and trying to catch up with any sea life, slow down and keep your fins below the surface as much as possible. Except for the slap mentioned above, don’t let your fins slap the surface. That creates noise that travels a long way underwater. Sea life will hear it and flee if spooked. 

Of all of the sea creatures I have spent time with, the octopus is by far my favorite. These intelligent animals are experts at camouflage. They will see you well before you see them. Even if you are a foot away, you might not know they are there. When I managed to spy one on a reef, I quietly dove below the reef and slowly rose up to meet them. Without fail, the octopus would stretch its head over the reef to watch me and then gradually sink behind the reef as I would rise. It was a game we played often. When swimming over sandy areas, I looked for the octopus’ ‘dump’. Not easy to see if you don’t know their rubbish habits – the empty shells from meals, broken glass or pieces of shell to suction on to and hide their den. If they weren’t home, I would comb through their garbage to find shells. I have held tiny octopus in my palm, smaller than a cricket, to show to my children when they were little. (Yes, I quickly let them go.)

It has been many years since I lived in Hawaii. I miss the ocean, but I go back from time to time. Sometimes a film will catch my eye and allow me to ‘be’ in the water again. One such film is called My Octopus Teacher, a documentary on Netflix. The story is about a man named Craig Foster, who took to the sea to sooth his soul. He swam armed only with mask, fins and camera in the cold and dangerous waters off the South African coast. Swimming through the kelp forest, he encounters a female octopus, among many other beautiful sea creatures. Check out the link to learn more about the film. It is a moving tribute to the fantastic and amazing octopus.  Or listen to the NPR story about it.

Thanks for reading my blog. Take advantage of my sitewide 40% discount, code XMAS2020. Order before the 11^th for Christmas delivery. Happy Holidays!

~ Teresa

Have you ever felt like you wanted to move on from a creative endeavor? Perhaps it wasn’t fun any longer. Maybe you forgot about it, or you were following someone else’s expectations. Could it be that you don’t need to walk away from a creative passion? Maybe it just needs re-configuring.

Of course, I’m talking about myself. I have enjoyed painting for most of my life. For the last two years, I nearly put it away. My passion for painting waned. I started wondering who I was painting for. Just wondering about that allowed room for another question. What would I like to try next?

I am not through with painting, but I am experimenting with new methods and subject matter. What got me going again? I had an idea: bring in a few friends for an art collaboration. Not a contest, just a fun way to restart and share our individual creativity.  Here is the outline:

1. Invite 3 friends to join the activity - or more if you like. These friends can live anywhere.

2. Decide upon 2-4 weeks for each collaboration. Participants take turns sharing an image or subject to paint. (For example, a landscape, etc. or ‘a repeating pattern/flowers/abstract of your choice.’)

3. Each person can paint, draw, collage, pastel or use any medium to create the given subject. There are no rules. This is about being creative and having fun! The canvas can be paper, cardboard, canvas or whatever is on hand.

4. When everyone has completed their piece, they photograph of their art. At the end of the time period, photos are sent to everyone or just to one person who will put them together and share. Each person describes their method. We ‘oooh’ and ‘ahhh’ over each other’s artwork. It sparks new ideas for the group. Participants can zoom or FT instead. If you can paint together, that is fun, too.

The beauty of this outline is that it works for any creative avenue. For example: Do you like to write poetry?  Take photographs? Sew? Pen short stories? Make jewelry? Quilt? Create ceramic pieces? Arrange flowers? Bake or invent recipes? You can start as many different groups/subjects as you like.

Expanding our creativity helps us let go of the stresses of this shifting world. Sharing projects with friends is a wonderful way to get to know each other more deeply. We humans are limitless in what we can create. Go for it!

Thanks for reading my blog.  Take care of yourselves and each other,
Teresa

Alana's Unicorn

My daughter asked me to paint a winged unicorn with a rainbow in the background for my granddaughter's bedroom. The unicorn had to be pink, her favorite color, and I had to embellish it with glitter. Lots of glitter. There couldn't be enough glitter!

So, after I finished the painting, I gathered some glitter paint and had a whole lot of fun! When it was finished, I secreted the painting into their house, as it was a surprise. Her dad hung it above her bed and her mom brought her into the room. When she saw it, she screamed! That is how this particular 5 year old expresses her excitement. She loved it.

For those of you who like to do projects with young ones, you can embellish a print of Alana's Unicorn, too: Order a stretched or loose canvas print of Alana's Unicorn in whatever size you like (fine art paper, photo paper, and decals will not hold up to the extra paint).  Use craft paint from Michael's or your local craft store.

This is what I used, but you can try any brand/color: DecoArt Glamour Dust Ultrafine Glitter Paint in ice crystal and magenta, regular glitter paint (the glitter bits are larger) in gold and Craft Twinkles crystal, which is multi-colored, and Delta Ceramcoat pearl finish. All of these craft paints come in 2 oz bottles and cost 2-3 dollars each. The glitter is suspended in a clear base and dries clear. It won't flake off. The pearl paint will coat over the colors a bit, but the colors will still show through. 

This is how I used the glitter paint on my finished canvas: I painted over the unicorn's body with the magenta ultra-fine glitter, except for the white spots and face, which I painted with the ultra-fine ice crystal glitter. I used the Craft Twinkle crystal glitter on the mane and tail and also on the rainbow, which I then covered in the ultra-fine ice crystal glitter when the other coats were completely dry. I covered the unicorn's horn with the gold glitter. The wings were painted with the pearl paint and then coated with the ultra-fine crystal glitter. Always paint one coat at a time and let it dry before applying another coat. Have fun!

This project is great for a young person's birthday party or a gathering of friends. Each guest will have a piece of art to take home as a party favor!  If  you order 5 or more of these prints for a craft party, I am offering a 40% discount on loose or stretched canvas unicorn prints until the end of 2018. Just add the discount code UNICORN to your order!   Or if there is some other painting from my website that you would like to embellish, give it a try! Order 5 or more for a craft party and add  discount code UNICORN for the same 40% discount.

Thank you for reading my blog,
~Teresa

Dinghy Parking

The San Diego skyline has several different looks, depending on where you are on the waterfront. The view from Coronado is pretty straight across, yet the view as you sail into the harbor is quite different, as if the city were built to show itself off to all mariners as the arrive. The view in this painting is from the Northern side of the Embarcadero, farthest from the Midway, past the docked museum sailing ships and submarines, past the Hornblower cruisers and the net and lobster trap dock. I consider it a sweet spot on the bay, as I love the look of all of these dirty dinghies and the way they are bunched together like sardines. It is actually quite peaceful to sit here for a moment and watch the way they move together as one from the slight ripples and boat wakes in the bay. 

Thanks for reading my blog!

~ Teresa

On a Lazy Afternoon

I love to paint water, specifically sea water, but sometimes I like to step away from the beach and head to the country. I love to be in Montana, where the skies are huge and the landscapes are beautiful. Montana is ranch country and there are a lot of horses spending their lives grazing the hillsides below mountain ranges. 

As a child, like many little girls, I dreamed of owning a horse. That is the only thing I ever wanted on my birthday or holiday, a horse of my very own. Living in the suburbs of California, it was never going to happen. I got to live the dream as a kid by riding with my friends who had horses and then really live the dream in Hawaii where I cherished a few horses of my own. Dream fulfilled.

In Montana, they make owning a horse look pretty easy, with all of the pasture land and big barns scattered over the countryside, wooden fences rolling along for miles and miles. Here is a horse, moving slowly while grazing on a lazy afternoon. I know a special young girl who is certainly living her horse-riding dreams. This painting is for my goddaughter Maile. She is an amazing rider who is dreaming of a horse of her own. She is in the right spot: Montana.

Thanks for reading my blog,
~Teresa

Nothing But Blue Skies

Road trips can be a fun way to take a side road to view the sights. Driving east from the small town of Red Lodge in Montana, you may find a lovely winding road that meanders through beautiful ranch lands. This road eventually leads you down through even smaller country towns, each with one or two blocks of main street brick buildings; a family hardware store, grocery, church, bakery and bar. The sweet neighborhoods are filled with older wooden houses standing together like a herd of horses in the shade of huge cottonwood trees. Freshly mowed lawns and bright flowers growing in gardens show us how all Montanans take full advantage of the warmer weather. Once out on the highway again, there are more open spaces and ranches to gaze at over the miles. Your eyes never stop moving over the beauty.

Along that lovely winding road, there were many spots where horses gathered in the sunshine to keep each other company after an afternoon of grazing. Standing under the huge blue sky, they made a picture of serenity, resting beside good friends.

Thanks for reading my blog,

~Teresa

Coronado Morning Light

There is something about a pile of dinghies sitting on a beach or tied to a dock that triggers a smile. Sitting out in the bay beyond these little beached or docked boats, which come in many shapes and sizes, are their larger companion sailboats and yachts, moored to buoys in neat rows. These neat rows are certainly not present on the beach or the docks, oh no. Our little transporters are mostly piled and crowded together, vying for a spot closest to the open water for an easy take-off. They have sand and dirt in their hulls and sometimes a bailer or two of dirty salt water. Ropes are tangled on peeling benches or slopped over the sides onto the sand. For me, this is what gives them their charm. Add a bridge in the background and you have cause for a painting!

I go in search of colorful little boats to paint. I find a lot of them here in Coronado and across the bridge in San Diego. As I add paint to canvas, I think about the life of these little wooden or plastic molded boats. They have an important job! Nobody is going to sail their lovely sailboats without these rusty buckets who dutifully perform their semi-boring job year after year. Back and forth, back and forth. Though some are pretty neat and tidy with little motors, most are kind of beat up with dirty rags and empty cans sitting in them, old sun-bleached life jackets shoved under benches. Paint is flaking off wooden sides and some are rotting a little bit. Beautiful! Those are the steady, loyal subjects I seek.

Thanks for reading my blog. 
~ Teresa

The Path by the Sea

The Republic of Fiji is nestled in the midst of the island groups of Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Cook and the Solomons in the South Pacific Ocean. Fiji is comprised of over 300 plus islands and more than 500 islets, some of which you could circle on foot or swim around in a few minutes or less. The main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu are home to 85%-90% of Fiji's 912,000 inhabitants, leaving the rest to spread out among those 300 plus islands. Actually, most of those islands are unpopulated for one reason or another, including isolation and lack of fresh water. 

Shaped like a footprint, Taveuni is the third largest of the Fiji islands and is easily accessed from Viti Levu and Vanua Levu and home to about 19,000 of Fiji's residents. It is here that I have enjoyed the beauty of these islands the most. Picture coconut trees and sandy shores opening to colorful reefs which beckon you to skim over them with mask and fins. Waterfalls and rivers flow to the sea from volcano-made peaks covered in impenetrable jungle. Imagine amazing views of barrier reefs, sailboats, islands and the many islets that dot the waters. Scuba diving from Taveuni in the Somosomo Strait is world famous for its rare creatures that are found hiding in colorful corals. Huge anemones are large enough to cover your living room floor, a lush carpet complete with clownfish nipping at your feet. Giant clams hide in plain sight in the coral beds, surprisingly camouflaged by the colorful clam inside. There are, of course, those creatures to keep an eye on; Lion Fish with those poisonous spines that resemble graceful angelic wing-fins. Lovely black and white banded sea snakes that could end your dive in seconds with one bite - (that is, if you could stick your tiny pinky finger back into their tiny mouth). Otherwise, they may just want to snuggle around your middle for warmth... A few other creatures to watch our for: https://www.fijimarinas.com/dangers-of-sea/. The chances are slim that a dive would be anything but wonderful.

There is a path that hugs the shore from the village of Lavena, which sits in the Northern Division at the end of Taveuni's drivable roads. This path leads to the Wainibau waterfalls after a hike through bush and stream, past huts and domestic pigs tied to coconut trees. Tall stately Fijian men wearing sulus and holding large machetes might pass you on the path, a friendly 'Bula!" and a smile in greeting. Kava is planted in the midst of jungle above the hillsides. The view from this path is framed by foliage that grows thickly along either side, creating lovely windows of gorgeous tropical ocean views. 

If you would love to spend some island time on Taveuni, Makaira is a warm and welcoming three 'bure' (guest house) resort overlooking the Somosomo Strait. You can experience snorkel tours or learn to plant and maintain a coral reef garden with Roberta or go angling for a fresh fish dinner caught by you and prepared by John. Tell Roberta and John that Teresa sent you.  See this YouTube video for a visual tour. 

Thanks for reading my blog.

~ Teresa

Tomorrow would have been my Father's 96th birthday. He has only been gone since December 30th of last year. Though sad he is gone, I am glad he is free from Alzheimers and the restrictions of his body. As Father's Day approaches, memories of my father flow through my mind, coming and going like the foamy shore break of the sea. 

My father loved the ocean. He would drive his 4 children to the beach to play in the water, swing on the swings and run on the sand. He would also have us collect rocks to line the garden with. We liked the first option better! When I was just a small girl of 6 or 7, he would take me fishing with him off of the floating docks in San Diego. My grandfather would come along and the three of us would catch supper. I was so little that when I hooked a fish (plentiful in those days), I was afraid it would pull me into the water, so my dad would help me real it in. We also went on charter boat fishing trips, me being the only kid on the boat. I remember the fisherman in a wheelchair who would give me his catch. My dad started taking me with him after my older brother passed away. I was happy to go and keep him company. 

I don't know about anyone else, but when I was growing up, I thought everyone's dad was like mine. I thought everyone got to go up in small airplanes to look at the Christmas lights or fly to see family in other cities. Or pack 6 into a 4 passenger plane and fly to Mexico for summer vacation.  My dad could also fix anything around the house, show movies in our living room for all the kids on the block and create tiled art out of abalone shells. What are some fond memories of your father?

Remembering my dad, James Allan Thomas, this Father's Day. Here he is, looking pretty cool in his military uniform, standing with his sisters.

Thanks for reading my blog. 
~ Teresa

Perhaps your father would enjoy one of my art prints. Look at the gallery page on my website to see if there is one just for him. Need some information about choosing a print medium ? Check out my previous blog on the many choices.

40% Off Mother's Day Sale Still Going On!

Country Comfort

People ask me about the selection of mediums for their print order. There are over 40 paintings to choose from with several sizes and print medium options.  Any media choice will print nicely with great color, it is just a matter of your personal preference:

Fine Art Paper is good for matting and framing and will go well with other framed prints in your home. 

~Teresa

'It's Not Easy Being Green'  is Kermit The Frog's lyrical ode to the hardships of being his true color which he cannot change. Ned the Sheepshead, if he had a lyrical ode, it might go something like this:

It's not that easy being me;
I'm not much of an ordinary fish in the sea.
When I think I could be nicer staying young and sleek and cute-
Or something without a big forehead and buck tooth...

Yes, an adult Sheepshead Wrasse is not a pretty sight, but this fish plays a very important role in the ecology of its California kelp forrest home. Those ugly and sometimes buck teeth of his?  They do the work of a steel trap and grinder, keeping the kelp-eating sea urchin population at bay, which helps boost coastal kelp growth rates. (Yes, I did I say 'his buck teeth', because an adult Sheepshead is male, even though he starts his life as a female. This gender change occurs gradually and usually sets when the fish reaches about 1.5 feet in length. Then he can continue to grow up to 3 feet in length and weigh up to 35 lbs! If he were human, he could live long enough to finish high school plus attend a few years of college! That's a lot of time to pack away many pounds of sea urchins, crabs, barnacles, mollusks, lobsters and other aquatic invertebrates - just like a young, hard-working and still-growing healthy human high school or college student.  

Unlike any young hard-working healthy human student, Sheepshead Wrasse are subject to pole and hook fishing, spear fishing, and commercial aquarium suppliers. They also may end up on a plate, often acquired from, but not limited to, Asian markets and restaurants. Minimum catch rules are in place for this valuable wrasse for commercial and recreational bag limits, as they play such a vital role for helping kelp beds and other kelp dwellers have a chance at longer life spans.

Why did I paint this goofy looking fish? I actually think Ned is rather cute and I wanted to introduce you to him and a to a few other kelp forrest dwellers, including Garibaldi fish, juvenile Sheepshead Wrasse, urchins and starfish. Also, I do love color, and a kelp bed can be a very colorful place, as evident in this photo by Chad King.

Thanks to my friend Tim for naming Ned. It fits! Thanks for reading my blog!

~Teresa

Beach Trash Reef

If you have read my earlier blogs, you know that sometimes I have opportunities to teach children about the ocean through art. Using beach trash and recycled plastics, I create ocean-themed artwork - a whale, a wave, a reef, etc - and the kids have a hand in making it as they learn about the state of the oceans.

Under the Sea: Dreaming of Healthy Reefs

Colorful corals have taken hundreds and thousands of years to grow. They occur all over our little blue planet's ocean. There are millions of species that live in and around coral reefs with many undiscovered reef dwellers yet to be named. Snorkeling or diving among coral reefs is one of the great pleasures of life. Encountering creatures that live among the corals is a thrilling experience, especially if they decide to interact with you. We do not yet understand the level of intelligence of our ocean-dwelling friends, yet we get an inkling when they show themselves to us.

Dreaming of Outriggers

The painting above is of two outrigger canoes at rest on a beach at sunset, one of my ocean dreams.

According to Wikipedia, outrigger canoes were originally developed by the people of the Southeast Asian Islands for ocean travel. Outrigger canoes are used worldwide, from Africa, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, New Zealand, Micronesia, Melanesia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Polynesia and more. A person can attach one or two outriggers to a single hull for stability or add more room for paddlers/passengers by using two hulls in a double-hull configuration.

A true history of the outrigger canoe is unknown, as recorded history doesn't go back far enough. A first encounter of an outrigger canoe in the Mariana Islands by one of Magellan's ships in 1521 reported the speed and agility of this sailing canoe, most likely with a touch of admiration and envy.  According to at least one website, Hawaiian Paddle Sport, outrigger canoes arrived in Hawaii around 200 AD from Tahiti. Outrigger canoes are a very big part of the Hawaiian culture, so it is easy to believe that they have been in use for a very long time.

The double-hulled sailing canoe, Hokule'a, built in the 1970's as a replica of ancient Hawaiian sailing canoes, set out to retrace the voyage from Tahiti to Hawaii, where the people of Hawaii are said to have originated from. Since that first Tahiti voyage in 1976, Hokule'a has sailed to many places and continues to do so.  I watched Hokule'a sail out of Maui for that first Tahitian voyage -- I was excited!  Years later, I sailed on the Hokule'a from Molokai to Oahu and again from Kawaihae to Maalaea Harbor, two adventures I shall always cherish.

My introduction to outrigger canoe racing began in the early 1980's when I joined a team of women paddlers on the island of Molokai.  I paddled with Molokai Canoe Club for two years, competing in regattas and inter-island races. Molokai Canoe Club participated in the Na Wahine O Ke Kai outrigger canoe race from Molokai to Oahu twice while I was on the team, in 1981 and 1982.  Since then, I am sure the ladies of Molokai canoe club have paddled this challenging race many times.

Thanks for reading my blog,
~Teresa

Dreaming of Paradise

Hi Friends, are you enoying summer?  Due to travel, I haven't posted a blog for several weeks but now I'm back again!

There is something about a tropical ocean scene that calls to many of us. The color of the shallow sea over a reef in the sunlight soothes the soul. Turquoise water dances while shades of blue and green reflect the sky and coconut trees. Did I mention coconut trees? Yes I did. The fronds rustle in the wind, and with the soft sounds of the ocean, the scene is set. Is there a more relaxing place to spend some time? For me, this is it. Of course, jumping into the water and checking out the reef with a mask and fins are always included in my tropical ocean dream. Some kind of water transportation is nice, too. There is so much reef to explore!

Anyway, I decided to paint a few of the places that I love, blending them into my dream of paradise. I love plantation houses from another era. They are almost always painted a shade of green with a rusty red colored roof and white trim and are usually built above the ground a foot or so, with a nice lanai to relax on.

Painting the ocean is something I love to do, but painting a tropical ocean scene really puts me right there in my dream of paradise. What is your dream of paradise?

Thanks for reading my blog!
~Teresa

Empty Beaches

When walking on an empty beach, thoughts turn inward and feet merge with wet sand and foamy shore. If alone, there is no one else to consider and no words that need to be spoken. A simple nod to anyone you might pass is enough to include them and yet remain in solitude. It is a time to ponder a new project or a difficulty, as walking with the sound of waves provides a nice opportunity for new perspectives. When I paint an empty seascape or landscape, it is to capture this place of solitude, recording it for myself so that I can step into it in future. When the original sells, my goal is to give the new owner a space to be in, too.

There are many articles and studies about the benefits of solitude. Sherrie Bourg Carter Psy.D. tells us that solitude allows us to reboot our brains, improve our concentration, enhance our relationships, help us to solve problems, and help us find our own voice. Who knew?

Here's what others have to say about solitude:

• I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. ~Henry David Thoreau
• How much better to sit by myself like the solitary sea-bird that opens its wings on the stake. Let me sit here for ever with bare things, this coffee cup, this knife, this fork, things in themselves, myself being myself. ~Virginia Woolf
• A little while alone in your room will prove more valuable than anything else that could ever be given you. ~Rumi
• Inside myself is a place where I live all alone, and that’s where I renew my springs that never dry up. ~ Pearl S. Buck
• Be alone, that is the secret of invention; be alone, that is when ideas are born. ~Nikola Tesla
• What a lovely surprise to finally discover how un-lonely being alone can be. ~Ellen Burstyn
• The best thinking has been done in solitude. ~Thomas A. Edison

Don't get me wrong, I love to be with people, too, but I need quiet time alone. How about you? I know that there are many lovely places for a person to enjoy nature, feel the earth beneath their feet, and grab some solitude. Please share your favorite places with me, I would love to hear how they give you what you need.

Thanks for reading my blog!
~Teresa

Photo from National Geographic

Have you ever witnessed the graceful dance of manta rays feeding together in a large group? These plankton eaters move with choreographed twists and turns, large mouths agape to filter out their nourishment from the seawater.  Their 'winged' bodies turn together in 'high fives' as they greet each other coming from opposite directions. As I watched this dance while snorkeling alone along the west shores of Hawaii, I began to imagine myself as a manta ray and quietly immersed myself into the school. I wondered if the rays would 'high five' me as I swam within their midst. Slowly swimming towards a ray that was moving towards me, I reached out my arm as I turned, thrilled to have the ray do the same with its triangular pectoral fin. Over and over, I learned the dance of the rays as the afternoon light waned. I stayed with the school until I my teeth chattered, amazed and humbled by their acceptance of my presence in their world.

Manta rays have the largest brain of all known fish species. Filter feeding on mostly zooplankton by swimming open-mouthed, small fish seem to know how to avoid becoming part of the meal while feeding on the same zooplankton. Schools of manta rays gather when the food is plentiful in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Manta rays can be as large as 23 feet across with a weight up to almost 3,000 lbs! (The rays I swam with had a wingspan of about 5-6 feet.) Their tails do not have a stinger on them like their cousins the stingray. Manta Rays will migrate for food and toward warmer waters. With a white belly and gray-black back, they are difficult to see from above or below, where predators might be roaming. Though said to feed mostly at night, they will feed when the opportunity presents itself, day or night.

I searched for a video that showed manta rays feeding, hoping to find them performing the dance I described earlier. Though I found many videos, most of them showed the rays 'barrel rolling' in  deeper water than when I swam with them. Perhaps the shallower water brought on the 'high five' ballet that I experienced. All I know is that it was a magical experience that I cherish and for which I am grateful.

Here are some facts about Manta Rays and videos of large Mantas feeding in shallow and deep waters.

Thanks for reading my blog!
~Teresa

Photos from Manta Ray World

Imagine sitting in a kayak in deep water a half mile off the shores of Hawaii. The ocean's surface is as smooth as silk, unruffled by wind. It is Humpback Whale season, a time when the whales migrate to warmer waters to give birth or find a mate. For weeks you have seen the whales slapping fins and tails on the surface and breaching almost completely out of the water. But on this day, they are nowhere to be seen, even though you can see for miles in any direction from your kayak. Only slightly disappointed, you decide to put on your mask and fins and dive into the depths to watch the light rays travel deep into the water. As you descend, suddenly you hear a whale symphony broadcast in surround sound! The whale song is so loud, you can feel it move through your body. You continue to dive and soak in the salty concert, knowing you will remember this moment forever.

Humpback Whale songs have been recorded for decades. Scientists have found that these whale songs change every year by comparing annual recordings of whales when they return to their winter residence, in this case, Hawaii. The songs have been recorded from many different whales, who sing the same tune as their traveling companions. Although it was thought that only male whales sing, we now know otherwise. My friend Nan Woodman witnessed a female Humpback Whale sing while building a bubble net for the pod.  Nan saw the bubble net during a scientific study she participated in off the coast of Alaska. The event was also captured on film (see humpbacks building a bubble net here). That must have been amazing!

Why does sound travel so well in the ocean? Ocean depth, pressure and temperature all play a role in carrying sound waves through the oceans, sometimes for thousands of miles.  Hear whale sounds at National Geographic here.  Or see whales swimming and singing courtesy of the Whale Trust Maui here.  Learn about the science of sound in water from NOAA or from Discovery of Sound in the Sea.

Hearing the whales that day in Hawaii with a few of my friends was fantastic; I will remember it forever. What a gift!

Thanks for reading my blog!
~Teresa

Painting classes have become quite popular, especially if there is wine involved. I attended one of these classes recently to see what it was all about. Here is what I discovered:

• Some people are there to create a painting to take home.
• Some people are there to drink wine with their friends, and as a bonus, create a painting.
• Some people are there to drink wine.
• Some people follow the instructor with every brush stroke.
• Some people break the rules from the get-go, which is expected and encouraged by the instructor.
• Mixing paint classes with alcoholic beverages makes for a fun time.

If you haven't attended one of these classes, here is one example of what to expect: Classes run for 2 -3 hours. The instructor provides a visual of the painting-to-be and walks attendees through the process. Subjects for the paintings are usually simple, as some attendees have never picked up a paint brush before. Supplies consist of fliud acrylic paint in a limited variety of colors which are distributed in a paint tray or on a paper plate. The palette, for holding and mixing your colors, is usually a paper plate as well. Each participant is given the above along with 3 or 4 brushes in as many sizes, a cup of water and paper towels to clean and wipe brushes, and an apron to wear over your clothes. Oh, and don't forget the wine!

If you have attended these classes before, did you enjoy them? Did you like the subject of the painting and the instructor? Please share your experiences, as I would like teach this type of painting classe and would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

And thanks for reading my blog.
~Teresa

For those of us who love the sea and are fortunate enough to live near the shoreline, we can easily get our 'fix' when we need it.

For those who love the ocean but live far away, there is a certain amount of planning involved in order to get your feet sandy and wet. This planning may include coordinating vacation days with others and double-checking the budget. Sometimes tickets need to be purchased several months in advance, depending on the distance and popularity of your chosen destination. Hotels or AirBnB rooms need researching and securing. Water toys need gathering. Packing sunscreen and swimsuits are on the list. If you are traveling with kids, triple all of the above.

With all of the stress that planning a seaside vacation can bring, is it really worth it? I would have to say YES! I found a myriad of articles that tout the benefits of being by the sea. Here are a few claims that  the authors agree on:

• Breathing the sea air is vitalizing: it's full of negative ions, which help us absorb more oxygen.
• Hearing the sound of the waves relaxes the mind and body.
• Watching the waves roll onto the shore is also very relaxing.
• Minerals in seawater can help to detoxify the body. (Ever taken a bath with epsom or sea salts for your health?)
• Swimming and playing in the sea helps you (and the kids) get a good night's rest.
• Walking on the beach quiets the mind.
• Being in sunshine lightens one's mood, but don't overdo it -- sunburn is no fun.

Read more about the healing power of the ocean here.

If you longed to be by the sea this Memorial Day weekend but couldn't manage it, here is a 24 minute video I created that might induce some relaxation. You can let the video run in the background and still hear the waves role in. If you do watch it, look for the dolphins at the 15 minute mark.  And enjoy the sun setting over the sea.

Thanks for reading my blog!
~Teresa

It's an understatement to say that seashells make me smile.  Seashells are nature's artwork, geometrically perfect and beautifully colored. Others collect art; I collect seashells.  My heart sings when I find them while walking on the beach or when I'm snorkeling. I don't take them if someone is living in them, but if they are empty, they are mine!

Scientists don't really know how many different kinds of seashells exist even though tens of thousands of mollusks have been discovered and documented.  Some seashells are as small as a grain of rice.   Others  are as big as a kitchen sink!  I have found both, the smallest hidden between grains of sand, and the largest, a giant clam shell, resting on the ocean floor in Fiji. Even half of this shell was so large and heavy, I couldn't bring it to the surface without the help of a friend, a rope, and a sailboat. Sadly, I couldn't bring it home.  By the way, giant clams (Tridacna gigas), if left alone, can grow up to 3 feet wide.

Here are a few interesting tidbits about seashells:

• Seashells are formed by the animal which builds and expands this mobile home over time. Some seashells are created by the secretions of calcium carbonate and proteins from the animal's mantle, which envelopes the shell.
• Seashells can be univalve, meaning they are one solid shell such as a conch shell, or bivalve with two halves, such as the giant clam shell.
• One of the oldest seashell collections was found in the ruins of Pompeii and contained shells from distant shores.
• Most shelled sea creatures move around by using their 'feet' to cover a lot of ground, and some even tunnel below the sand as they forage for food.
• Giant clams, which are very heavy, can hunker down in one spot in the sand or anchor themselves on corals when they are small, staying put for a lifetime.
• Historically, seashells were used as currency, for jewelry, tools for carving and scraping, to bail canoes, as bowls and even as musical instruments.

Seashells are collected and sold worldwide, but did you know that most of those perfect shiny seashells you find in shops are gathered alive and removed from their shells? The seashell trade distributes shells from over 5000 species and some of these species are being depleted. Finding an empty seashell on a beach is a thrill and there are no strings attached. Some of these found treasures remind me exactly where I was when I found them, whether snorkeling or simply strolling on a remote stretch of beach. What gifts the sea gives us!

For more information about seashells, check out Wikipedia here or check out this identification chart to see more beautiful shells.  Or, just for fun, take a look at beach sand magnified 300 times! Beautiful!

Thanks for reading my blog!
~Teresa