Reflection

Reflection

My original artwork is an approximately 18"x24" watercolor painting. To help communicate my message, I placed glass on top of my watercolor painting and collaged shells, other natural beach finds, and different forms of plastic waste that I found on a beach in Fenwick, Delaware. For example, notice the bag hanging around the pelican's wing. It has a collaged piece of plastic that I found on the beach on top of the painted bag. The sea lions have painted nets on their necks and I collaged discarded plastic nets that once held produce on top. Other waste collaged includes bottle caps, rivets, straws, glass, and plastic bags. The mermaid represents possibilities and opportunities, as there is much to be discovered in our oceans. Sadly, her tail is also captured in a net filled with plastics and debris. If we continue to pollute and destroy our oceans with plastics and other wastes, the ocean life will be destroyed. The undiscovered, amazing finds and treasures will remain mysteries and what-ifs. The dark clouds represent a storm, not the precipitation type, but a storm that is brewing and caused by pollution and plastic wastes. If left unchanged, we will find our waters dark, murky, and lifeless. As hard as they can, the fish and wildlife are trying to communicate with us, pleading with us to help. Even the mermaid in my painting is trying to communicate the word "help" through American Sign Language.