Fly-by

Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

When I started this reptile painting journey, I was intimidated by the number of scales, the colors, and the patterns. I've grown to love much of the process. Painting these animals has become a form of meditation for me, drawing me away from the pain of my Endometriosis and into the world of these stunning creatures. Turtles have existed on Earth for around 230-260 million years, but now their numbers are dwindling. Habitat destruction, human encroachment on their territories, and climate change have severely impacted thousands of species across the globe. Reptiles and amphibians are often overlooked in art, but they perform necessary functions on our planet and fill incredible niches. These animals can be beautiful, and they deserve to be in the spotlight more. That is my goal: to shed greater light on the often misunderstood and maligned creatures of our world.