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Abstract Surface

ARTWORK

Get lost in this art lovers paradise, full of oceans and creativity galore.

Our Waters

So Much To Learn by Lucas

By Lindsay

The Great Lakes by Jade

Bright Water Rays by Brigitte

By Caroline Marais

A Second Life For Sea Glass by Simon

Whale Embroidery Patch by Edana

Ocean science is important to help educate others in a friendly manner about the importance
of protecting the ocean and our environment. Storytelling and sharing art allow people to
connect over something they care about and love in a more tangible way. For example, people
will care more about the ocean and the important role it plays if they can visually see it; seeing
photos of ocean animals, or the beauty of the scenery around can help open their eyes and
help people learn in a less intimidating way.

*An Ocean Storytelling Showcase submission*

This painting represents the mind-blowing experience and magnificence of whales. I have always found these creatures to be mystical and unrealistic. Depending on the species, a whale can live up to 268 years. (Bowhead whale.) Along with Elephants and turtles, I believe they would be the wisest animals on earth. That is why, in this painting, as the whale exhales, she releases a whole universe of knowledge.

Submitted by: Jennifer Blackaller Ruiz

Longing

Willow charcoal and acrylic paint on Stonehenge paper.

In elementary school, Laurie, Sang Ho, Shannon and I would play in Westmount Park and climb on the100-year old willow tree in the center of the man-made river. At that time, the willow was supported by metal poles bending out from the side horizontally, making it perfect for climbing and sitting. Between the
four of us, we would see who could jump off the highest point in the tree. Dangerous as it might seem, none of us ever got hurt. It was a time where 10-year olds could wander about the park alone without their parents and not get in trouble. We’d play outside until the sun set.

When I came back to Montreal after university, I noticed the tree wasn’t there anymore. Someone told me that a thunderstorm had finally struck the tree down.

But in my mind, it is still there. This is the willow that reminds me to protect nature – otherwise it will no
longer be there for me to show to someone else.

Submitted by: Zihan Cai

I was born in the Caribbean and have visited many beaches throughout my years living there. I was always fascinated by the lush greenery that cascades down the hills and magically gives way to the dramatic blues of the Caribbean seas. This particular beach is one I loved to visit when I lived in Tobago. The power of the waves crashing on the rock and sand in all its raw beauty is an amazing sight. It is a special place that fills me with excitement and wonder. The sea - as amazingly beautiful as it is powerful!

Submitted by Caroline

Did you know that the word “lunatic” is derived from the Roman goddess of the moon, Luna? (Luna is also the word for moon in Spanish.) The moon has been accused of shifting people’s behaviours for centuries and has been universally known as a romantic symbol. Whether the moon has a significant influence on human behaviour is still up for debate, but no one can deny its influence on our oceans. The moon influences the tides with her gravity and plays a vital role in their conservation.

Submitted by: Jennifer Blackaller Ruiz

This art piece was made after doing several shore cleanups back in 2019 where I kept finding vegetation growing over garbage and plastic bottles. I got so emotional, I was heart broken. I started crying because all of these little living beings and beautiful plants were so innocent. They did not deserve our arrogance and the painful consequences of our plastic oceans. They did not know that they were most likely going to die of hunger since plastic has obviously no nutritional value. They were growing all hopeful on this bottle, thinking they would get something out of it. Their brothers and sisters growing along their side on a nice fallen tree full of nitrogen and other delicious values, but these less fortunate guys ended up in my cleanup bag, destined to suffocate, be crushed by other toxic waste and be sent to a waste-management centre in which they had no future. I therefore replanted the little guys.

Submitted by: Jennifer Blackaller Ruiz

Whale of Montréal

This drawing was inspired by the indigenous teachings of the Haida people. Orcas are known as a strong spiritual animal; it is often referred as the traveller of the seas and has a very important place in their culture. I made this drawing with the coaching of a young Haida women with whom I had the pleasure to share a meal. In my drawing, the orca is crying blood to symbolize the hurt and the threats that endanger this species. One of their major threats is noise pollution and if this type of pollution is found in high intensity, it can lead to internal organ damage which can be indicated by bleeding from the ears and the eyes resulting in a painful slow death.

Submitted by: Jennifer Blackaller Ruiz

This art piece represents all the mysteries and secrets that our oceans hold. According to Oceana and the Ocean Service, only no more than 20% of the world’s ocean has been explored. We have yet so much to learn, discover, explore and observe! Plus, the ocean is very dynamic and always changing, many observations and knowledge acquired over the years are now completely obsolete.
PS: this creature was inspired by the Leafy Sea dragon discovered in 2015

Submitted by: Jennifer Blackaller Ruiz

This art piece was for me a representation of the lack of empathy we often have towards sea creatures and the cruelty we justify behind economic gains. Sometimes I feel so hurt to witness such behaviour that and I often visualize myself in the shoes of those hurt souls and I ache.

Submitted by: Jennifer Blackaller Ruiz

This drawing was inspired by the power of folklore. This form of storytelling has existed throughout generations and inspired countless tales of the water and all its mysteries. Legend has it, Mermaids have been in existence since 1000 B.C. and have been an influential element to stories about the ocean and seas ever since.

Tales For Gaia

It’s time to change the narrative surrounding sharks. The power of mainstream media (looking at you Jaws 👀) has prompted their global fear and hatred. What they fail to tell you is that for every human killed by sharks, 1.5 million sharks are killed by humans. Sharks are beautiful creatures and we should share their stories!⁣

Tales For Gaia

Sedna

Fun Fact: Orcas are not whales...they're dolphins!

Orcas are more commonly known as killer whales - a name that likely began as “killer of whales” because these intelligent animals are known to hunt and kill a variety of whale species. The shift towards the name “orca” was a push back at their misguided reputation as man-eaters, and towards their scientific name: Orcinus Orca. However, most don’t realize that Orcinus is Latin for “belonging to Orcus”, god of the underworld! ⁣
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There are three ecotypes of Orcas off the British Columbia coast: residents (salmon eaters), transients (marine mammal eaters), and offshore (shark eaters, but more research is needed). Orcas are matrilineal, with male offspring staying with their mothers for the entirety of their life! A famous Orca in the Southern Resident population named “Granny” was thought to live to over 105 years old. ⁣
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Orcas face many real threats from extinction. For example, there are only 76 Southern Resident Orcas left in the wild. This genetic bottleneck will pose a major conservation challenge into the future, as ecotypes of orcas do not breed with one another. Historically, the aquarium trade played a major role in their population decline. The first orca to be caught and displayed in captivity occurred off the coast of Vancouver, which sparked a global fascination with these animals and their desire in aquariums around the world. Today, the southern resident orcas face additional challenges such as diminishing salmon populations and marine pollution that accumulates up the food chain to these apex predators. ⁣
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Submitted by: Anonymous

The Skysea

A humpback whale was spotted in the Vancouver Downtown harbor! They are en route on their annual migration from the warm breeding waters of Mexico and Hawaii to the cold feeding grounds in British Columbia and Alaska! Some whales are thought to travel more than 3000 miles each way on this migration.

Tales For Gaia

Someone on our team is always happy to chat - from initial tale development to posting your final draft. Check out our contact form above and we will be in touch!

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