"Tender Turtwig" represents small changes to help in the long recovery from spill, and future of our oceans

"Tender Turtwig" is finally complete!  My journey into acrylic painting was yet another exciting ride, especially because it was for all the right reasons.  If you hadn't caught my story about why I switched from oil painting to acrylics, please click here to read: "The Spill should Spell CHANGE."

The wise and deep eyes of Turtwig and all the beautiful sea turtles I encountered at Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, FL told me thousand of stories, and called to me to present to everyone possible the connection these incredible creatures have to our daily lives.  We forget, we take for granted, and we continue to destroy the very resources that give us LIFE!  We do not have life without our oceans, period.  My friends at LMC consider sea turtles the "Ambassadors of the Ocean," and I cannot think of a better way to express what sea turtles represent.  They are timeless.  They, like frogs, date back to prehistoric times, they have seen so much more than we can image, they as adults have earned every wrinkle, and they are vital to our oceanic ecosystems - which in turn give us what we need to live here on earth.  Sea turtle adults are literally 1 in 1,000 - meaning the other 999 baby turtles are a food source that feeds the oceans, which in turn feed us.  This also means that each 1 in 1,000 that makes it into adulthood is even more vital to carry on the huge role these gorgeous animals have in the circle of life.  When I have the privilege of being near a sea turtle (or any creature for that matter), and experience their unique personality, their "essence," each one tells me their own story with their eyes.  I believe we all tend to miss this in our busy routines - so I am striving to portray through my art what each one is saying to us.  Hoping people will listen, begin to care, and simply take small steps to begin sensible changes in daily their routines.  (Like stop using plastic bags, use less energy, drive a little less, use eco-friendly materials, etc.).  This mission has begun in a large way already, thanks to Sylvia Earle,founder of Mission-Blue.org, author of The World is Blue : How Our Fate and the Ocean's Are One.

So, when I made the decision to begin painting with acrylics, my heart poured into the cause, and as the Gulf Oil Spill details, and lack of transparency by many, continued to unfold, so did my anger, my resentment, my determination to do something.  It seems many of us have pent up frustration now - and if I can so do something to help some good come out of such a catastrophe...then I must dive in.

The actual shift from oil to acrylic is not as easy as it would seem, yet once again, became a wild ride into making mistakes and a journey into the imagination that keeps me hooked on painting.  As I went through the normal frustrations that an oil painter goes through when learning to work with fast-drying acrylics ("you have to get it right the first time..." is what I had to keep saying to myself as I kept having to re-work and blend places, that would have easily been fixed with the luxury of slow-dry oils), and the challenge of achieving the depth and contrast of colors that I am known for in my oil (which I persisted in by pushing my color mixing skills as far as I could take them), Turtwig emerged slowly, with each layer became more and more fascinating. Back into the zone, that "doing what you love zone," or, what Sir Ken Robinson calls "The Element."  As those tender, chilled-out eyes of Turtwig began to emerge, I knew I made it.  I made to the finish line of a small step to do my part for our oceans - for these beautiful creatures.  If I can just communicate all of them - from the turtles, the dolphins, the seabirds and more who will soon be showing up onshore covered in oil or sick.  If I can only spark interest through the intrigue and mystery of the arts, the awareness of the casualties that are at the bottom of the Gulf that we don't even see - the thousands of fish and coral that have already been destroyed, and now soon perhaps our last live coral reef in the Keys. 

My heart is breaking - and I am not sure who our there in our country really cares. I am sure it is hard for those up in Michigan, Vermont, Ohio or Kansas to even comprehend what is happening down here - and how it really is going to afffect us all.  So, all I can do is continue on my mission, continue expressing my love for the Ambassadors of our Oceans, the Sea Turtles, and more - through OceansForLife.org.  This way I can help all the organizations who are working tirelessly to help our oceans heal, and I can somehow begin the campaign that we can all take small steps in our daily lives to help.

So, "Tender Turtwig" is part of my artistic journey to create art with passionate purpose... like "Knowing Neal" (to the left, myself with my art collector, Kim, donating the original to LMC), and all the other turtle patients at Loggerhead Marinelife Center and soon other organizations who wish to have me portray their causes. (They are encourage to contact me at http://www.oceansforlife.org/)   The next phase is to begin the conversation at http://www.oceansforlife.org/  when it is live JUNE 2010 (you can sign up now privately to receive word when it's ready), then portray as many creatures from our oceans that I possible can to drive the message home - and provide a creative way to just begin the message that it's time we all care.

Thanks for caring, and following my art journey! Creatively yours, Pam

 PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT my mission (OceansforLife.org FACEBOOK PAGE and Site in progress), and consider bringing "Tender Turtwig" home - the original, prints, canvas shopping bags (to start good habits of not using plastic bags that turtles mistake for jellyfish) and more are now at my online gallery/store.  30% goes to helping our oceans (20% to Loggerhead Marinelife Center and 10% to the partnering emergency responding non-profit organizations to the Gulf Oil Spill).   THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT in helping me help our oceans with Art!

"Tender Turtwig" ORIGINAL Acrylic on Canvas 32"x32" - $2,250.00.  Ready to frame, is ready for the right home:  the owner of this 1st ever acrylic piece by Pamela Hoke will also be listed as a primary sponsor for http://www.oceansforlife.org/, and 30% to help LMC and organizations that need assistance during Gulf Oil Spill recovery.

Gulf Brief - busy getting ready to communicate visually and help.

My days on the southern west coast of Florida were interesting to say the least. Beyond each and every BP station being a ghost town, there was a tense aura among some the members of organizations in preparation for the seemingly now inevitable flood of injured animals that will arrive at their facilities. For the most part, many of them made me feel very welcome - and understood the bigger picture of what I was there to do: experience the patients and beauty of the creatures they already care for to strengthen their message and create a long term awareness and fund-raising campaign to help them all ride out this horrific tidal wave. Supplies were flooding in. All of them need multiple items, (from mild detergents to help with oiled animals to grocery gift cards to help them get what they need fast), yet what I found is they just need is just cash so they know they can sustain their facilities and have the nourishment and medical needs met for the long-haul. So, my mission to help was strengthened and you will see more on this during the week.




For now, being a huge fan of Carl Safins, I highly recommend his wonderfully written exerpt on his trip over there: "Blessed assurance is suspended indefinitely." He really says it all. Being primarily a visual artist/painter, I must simply begin expression visually in paints (yes, now acrylics and watercolors), and provide us all a means of expression for the multitude of emotions that are developing in us all during this difficult time...and leave the superior writing to Carl.


So how IS my latest shift to acrylic paint going? FANTASTIC!! Turtwig is emerging well on the canvas, and should be done today or tomorrow- love the new media! Take care all, and hope you will keep an eye on all events here, and on the small steps from my blog: "the Spill should spell change"...haven't heard any steps yet!!!


Creatively yours, pH

(Please send me a note online about those "small steps" for change, BTW!)

Loggerhead Marinelife Center is preparing and Needs Help.

Hello all,

Loggerhead Marinelife Center is on the East Coast of Florida - and is already preparing in case the effects of the oil spill come around the tip of Florida as projected.  I will find out more from the West Coast today while there, however, LMC is very near to my home, and is the home of my first turtle portraits.  PLEASE HELP them in any way you possibly can, if not in Florida, monetary donations would be great. This helps them overall in their mission.  Also, if you would like to spread the word to involve others, please pass this information on, ask others to join OceansForLife on Facebook as I collect all information accessible about the needs down here in Florida.

BTW - :"Turtwig" is still recovering at LMC, and the painting of Turtwig the new acrylic medium is going fabulously!  I love my switch!  Below is a photo of Turtwig.

THIS IN FROM LOGGERHEAD MARINELIFE CENTER:

Dear Friends,

 

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center is requesting the assistance of friends & supporters in this time of need. LMC continues to recover from depleted supply levels and on-going care costs associated with our cold-stun sea turtle patients, we are facing another potential crisis with the recent oil spill. The best way for the public to help is in the form of monetary donations to be used to purchase needed medications and supplies. We are also seeking donations of Gift Cards and needed supplies (listed below).

 

Should the situation materialize, we need the necessary supplies in order to care for a potentially large number of sea turtles. Donations to support the rehabilitation efforts can also be made online at: marinelife.org, or by calling 561.627.8280 x102.  PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THEIR MOST RECENT MEDIA UPDATES REGARDING THE SPILL.

 

General Supplies.  If you are in S. Florida, consider delivering some of these easily accessible donations - you will LOVE their facility and the beautiful patients there now, also a beautfiul drive!  South on US past Jupiter - Juno Beach.  Once you're in Juno Beach you will the Center (yellow building) on the left.

• Gift Cards –Grocery and Hardware Stores
• Kitchen Trash Bags
• Simple Green Cleaner
• KY Jelly
• Laundry Detergent (unscented)
• Windex Glass Cleaner
• Triple Antibiotic Oitment
• Baby Pools

 ANYTHING YOU CAN DO IS AN IMMENSE HELP!  Mostly, please try to spread the word about this page.  I will try to load shirts with Neal on them soon so we can all wear his adorable face proudly and remind everyone who lives in our OCEANS, and keeps them healthy!!

The Spill should Spell "CHANGE!" - An artist takes a small step, stops using oil paints as a message.

Well, many of you probably think I've lost it. NOW what is she doing...opening a new Facebook Page and beginning a website: OceansForChange.org? Well, I reserve my right to be female, and an environmental artist: I can change my mind AND adapt to the world around me as it needs me to.  Go with the flow - and, in this case, go with the flow of the devastation of oil in our precious Gulf - which essentially in my mind spells the need for change by us all.

My change?  I woke up staring at "Turtwig," a Green Sea Turtle patient at Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, FL, my next celebrity to be on canvas.  As the morning light hit the sketch on my patio, I glanced at the oil paints and it hit me right in the gut...that does not make sense anymore.   I realize that obviously crude oil is not the same as the linseed oils in the paints...it's the principle, and pyschological effect from the thought of visualizing all the creatures that will soon be covered in oil.  This thought, coupled with the solvents that come with using oil paints have simply led me to make this as a moral decision that was long overdue.  If I am going to strive to help, I too, must change - however I can.  So, today - out with the oil paints and the harmful chemicals that come with them, and in with acrylics...with just water.  It's a start.  I haven't painted in acrylics for a while...but the investment now in supplies and time is priceless to me, and it's just simply a moral responsibility in my mind now. (I can't believe I didn't switch sooner...I use watercolors a lot, well better now than  never.)

Carl Safina posted an incredible perspective today on the catastrophic oil spill, "Spill Baby Spill"...it really baked my noodle, that's for sure.  Thank you, Carl, for being a voice of reason.  You are not shoving radical concepts down people's throats, and you are not sitting idly by as the toxic oil threatens to shove itself down the throats of precious wildlife that are the most intricate part of the ecosystem that keeps our oceans thriving.

What this spill should do for our country is spell C-H-A-N-G-E...
but, not one that mandates what people do (can't step on freedom, just make bad things uncool, like we have with smoking), and definitely not change that will cause major economic damage, nor change that provides a constant hand-out to those who do not wish to earn what they have - yet  what a about a change of mindset, just a change in our attitudes that one step is at least a start? How can we begin to at least TRY to be more responsible and preserve earth for our families and our grandchildrens' future? Open our minds to go with the flow...adapt like nature has to adapt?  (Note: Earth does not belong to US, we get the priviledge being here to enjoy it, not destroy it.)  This is what OceansForLife.org is going to be all about...simply a place to begin the conversation for change - and the necessary message that Sylvia Earle has been striving to drive home for years, that our Oceans are the foundation of life here on earth. You can learn more about Sylvia and this vital message that we need to drive home either through her talk on TED posted at Mission-Blue.org,  or by grabbing her book "The World is Blue: How Our Fate and the Ocean's Are One." The World Is Blue: How Our Fate and the Ocean's Are One.

What can each of us do that is a REALISTIC step?  Even if it's just ONE behavior, at least it 's SOMETHING, it's a start!

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step." -lao Tzu

 Example:  Stop using plastic bags at the store!  Did you know these bags, beyond less than 10% are actually recycled, end up being mistaken by sea turtles for jellyfish?  Learn more about the damage  of just this one item, and some options at Earthsource.org.  Just buy sturdy canvas shopping totes that will last, and keep them handy - it's just a change of habit, that's all!

So, to share briefly before I head over to the West Coast of Florida tomorrow to see what I can do as an artist to help organizations prepare, I spelled CHANGE from the spill immediately through the shift to acrylic paints. Even though my shift is a grain of sand in comparison to the horrible damage from this spill, it is still an obligation and a step I can take to honor the losses that are pending and move toward change.  Imagine if each person  takes one small step.  Many people feel helpless right now in how they can help, and the best way to help the environmental organizations right now is to stand by them with moral support, change lifestyle habits within reason, and of course send them money (we know that BP is not just going to wire them funds tomorrow, and they need resources now to prepare).

See here the canvas with "Turtwig" yearning to be painted, with the "Oil" paints next to it.  What a mess, I thought!  I woke up in the middle of the night last night realizing I needed to make a shift...what an oxymoron it would be if I continued to paint with oil paints (very toxic, and just that fact that they are oils during this spill, and soon to affect sea turtles)!  No more.  I have been planning my earth-friendly art shift for quite some time - even though I absolutely love the effects of oils, I know similar effects can be created with acrylics, and watercolors are also an earth-friendly option.  The main  point is, I MUST do what I can to push the message.  So, as I stare at my fighter Turtwig (who is currently healing from a likely boat injury to his spine) waiting to emerge on the canvas...I make my official announcement to shift to acrylics and watercolors for now in light of the oil spill.  Off to shop for my new paints...Turtwig, I'll be right back!  (my next shift will be to ride my bike to the art store...yet it would take me all day here in Hobe Sound!).

Thanks for reading this, and please, SHARE this story with a friend, and then, share just one CHANGE YOU COULD MAKE to your daily life to begin to bring something positive out of this catastrophe (so something good may come from the horrible suffering of our creatures and Southern economies), on Oceans for Life FACEBOOK page, or, shoot me a note and I'll collect responses and post.    We're all in this together, because we all created this mess together.   Let's just all take responsibility for this mess however we can. 

Wish me luck on my shift to acrylic painting!  Will try to video some of the progress.  Turtwig will be immortal on canvas soon, just like Neal!

Creatively yours, Pam

(Please visit my site , consider purchasing my turtle portraits or my other artwork, prints, canvas shopping bags and more to help me on my mission (20% of proceeds in my Passionate Purpose Section go to non-profit organizations that relate to the art.  I will be adding more this week after my trip to the West Coast of Florida once I assess the needs of the organizations there).  You can also help me by just telling a friend about my story and inviting them to join me on Facebook!  Thank you!