Save the Whales and Limited Edition Prints

"Paradise Found" ~ the original has sold, but Limited Edition Prints now available

​Whales have always held a special place in my heart.  Growing up in the wilds of Alaska, my summers were spent outside listening to the sounds of the whales singing and their bodies breaching the deep blue water with a crashing crescendo.  Whenever I am back home in Alaska, one of my favorite things to do is whale spotting; there is just something so incredibly majestic and powerful about these beautiful creatures, that I will never not be in awe of.

One of my Alaskan Photos of a Humpbacks tail

​Painting them recently has been such a joy and something I want to continue doing.  It is also allowing me to share the beauty of these animals, and some of the issues that they face in todays uncertain world.  Certain whale species have been hunted to almost extinction, but fortunately a lot has/is being done to save these wondrous ocean creatures from no longer existing.

"Rise Above" the original has sold

​Humpback whales are one of the success stories of whales that have been saved from disappearing from the worlds oceans.  At one point less than 10 percent of humpack whales existed, before a moratorium was put in place in 1966.  As another safety net to save the whales, they were listed on the Endangered Species Act in 1973.  With these safety nets in place many humpback whale species have recovered up to 90 percent of their original population.  Most humpback whales are currently on the list of least concern of endangered animals, a huge win that was only possible through these animals being protected (treehugger.com).

One of my favorite days whale spotting in Alaska, this beautiful momma and calf

​There is, however, still lots of work to be done to continue to protect other whale species, one in particular, the North Atlantic Right Whale, is highly endangered, with less than 400 still existing.  They were one of the most hunted species of whales during the whaling years, and particularly appealing to the whalers for their oil, hence they were called the “right” whales.  Even though they have been protected since the 1970’s under the Endangered Species Act, they are still struggling and their numbers continue to drop.  Mostly due to invasive shipping lanes, fishing nets and climate change impacting their food sources (worldwildlife.org).

​​These examples highlight how conservation DOES work to preserve and protect species, but also that we sometimes need to do more to protect other species, that may need additional action.  We need to have more protective measures in place, such as knowing exactly what these whales migration patterns are, and adapting the shipping lanes to those, when they are actively interfering with the animals migration.  Canada’s Bay of Fundy adjusted their shipping lanes in 2003 which reduced the risk of shipping strikes on the right Whales by up to 80%.  This shows how effective measures can be to save endangered species, we just have to institute policies that will do just that in all areas that the whales inhabit.  Also to obviously work on combating global climate change and having regulations in place regarding the fishing nets that effect these whales.  Even one loss of these majestic beings drastically impacts their dwindling numbers.  

Limited Edition of 50 Fine Art Prints

Limited Edition of 50 Fine Art Prints

I try to do my part, by creating colorful, vibrant art and writing these blog posts by highlighting amazing animals that need our help, and also to share how conservation efforts really do have such a positive impact on preserving and protecting endangered animals and our planet.  If we work together we can, and have, made positive change happen.  I also give 1% for the planet to @rewild of all my art sales to help support an organization that does vital work in the protection and preservation of our planet.
​
By purchasing one of these limited edition prints of “Paradise Found” you will also be helping to support animal conservation efforts, and I thank you so very much!  There will only ever be 50 fine art prints of this painting ever created, once the 50 have sold, it will be retired from fine art print production forever. 

The print is 16"x20" and signed with the edition number on the bottom right, as well as the back

​I also offer a payment plan for these prints, where you can make your payment split up into four equal installments.  Just select the installment plan option at checkout.  The prints are now available, but only a few left! They are first released to email subscribers at a discounted price, and if the prints sell out during the pre release no more will be offered.  Be sure to sign up HERE to be notified of future releases and available discounts!